ABV: 50.5%
Value: $70
Type: Single Malt Scotch
Origin: Scotland
Our annual Prime 20 Whiskies listing is all the time full of A-list names, together with just a few lesser-knowns that make the grade. Nevertheless it’s uncommon for one of many latter to outshine your entire discipline, but that’s exactly what occurred this 12 months, as Whisky Advocate’s panelists plucked a relative unknown from a bunch of big-name contenders. As we tasted, little did we all know there was an upset within the making. Successful in a virtually unanimous vote, single malt scotch Glenglassaugh Sandend turned our 2023 Whisky of the 12 months.
Glenglassaugh Distillery is located on the north coast of Scotland, perched upon excessive floor overlooking the North Sea. The whisky is commonly described as a “coastal” Highland malt, which appears a good evaluation. This non-age assertion expression, named for the bay offshore, is brilliant and delicate, with aromas of citrus and minerality resulting in a luscious palate full of layers of taste revealing peach, apricot, honey, pound cake, and vanilla, all accented with a contact of sea salt. Rolling spices assist create an explosive, long-lasting end. It’s light but complicated, however above all it’s a straightforward sipper you possibly can simply sit again and luxuriate in. And at $70, it represents fairly truthful worth for a single malt scotch.
Why is Glenglassaugh so little recognized? Primarily as a result of it has spent extra time being closed than open in its almost 150-year historical past. Based in 1875, it was shuttered in 1907 for 53 years. It then reopened just for transient durations earlier than closing in 1986, this time seemingly for good. However in 2008 Glenglassaugh was bought by an investor group that restarted manufacturing, and it subsequently was acquired by Jack Daniel’s proprietor Brown-Forman in 2016. It nonetheless hadn’t been heard from a lot till not too long ago, as a result of shares wanted replenishing. However now Glenglassaugh is able to roll, and judging by this stellar launch, endurance is being rewarded in spades. —David Fleming
