Also read Glenglassaugh 7 ans Américan wine cask

Glenglassaugh Torfa

 

This distillate comes from the north of Scotland on the shore of Sanden Bay from the GLENGLASSAUGH distillery.

 

It was distilled on November 9, 1973 (about the same day as my two years old). For the record, the distillery was at the time owned by Highland Distillers and had a team of managers who marked its time and created the historical identity of the brand (i.e. complexity and character) after having supplied the blend makers until 1970.

 

We can imagine that with a bit of ageing... (well ok 42 years anyway).

 

So here it is, in 1973 this distillate was poured into an ex-bourbon cask (n° 5638). It was then "forgotten" in the warehouse of the distillery until November 2016 for its 42nd anniversary when it was exhumed by the team of BILLY WALKER (at the time).

 

The angels having enjoyed themselves during all this time, it gave rise to only 238 bottles grading 40.6% alcohol and was integrated into the 3rd series of RARE CASK RELEASE of the brand. 

 

 

We can clearly call it a nugget, right? So what do you think?

 

Of course you should not throw yourself on such a distillate. It deserves to be served in a glass worthy of the name and it is advisable to let it wake up slowly and to let it open in its glass.

 

Once put in situation, that your eyes have adapted to its beautiful copper color, we can finally plunge the nose.

 

The olfactory journey here will be done in three stages: first it is warm, then fresh and then warm again.

 

The first nose is very sweet, without any alcoholic aggression. It is fruity, developing aromas of ripe and caramelized fruits, accompanied by a touch of vanilla.

 

As if to stand out, the second passage is slightly lemony and will even pass to ginger when we stay in the glass.

 

The third passage brings some dry and warm woody notes but also some gingerbread notes. One could almost believe that it has been plucked from its cask of vinous and spicy notes.

 

In the hand it comes out like a vanilla marzipan without too much sugar.

 

A real journey in 3 passages, as if it had gradually drawn all the flavors from the staves that have kept it from seeing the light of day for 42 years.

 

The time has come to taste it, hasn't it?

 

In the mouth, we immediately detect notes of pears. But these last ones are only blush because they disappear very quickly to leave a very spicy and woody feeling.  

 

The distillate becomes then thick and mellow. At first dense, the spices become lighter and pass in the background.

 

This distillate is pastry and resembles a vanilla cake batter. Slowly it insinuates its texture in the mouth peacefully and without too much force, leaving only a few spices here and there.

 

The finish is long but very discreet on clearly woody notes (the impression of chewing a stick of licorice). It leaves some sweetness and mellowness in the mouth.

 

Inexorably, this 42 years old distillate finishes its race and once emptied, the glass lets appear at the beginning a little more the little present alcohol. Evaporated this last one leaves the place to the half agricultural and half marine character of the distillate (as if the GLENGLASSAUGH notes had left the beautiful part to the work of the wood).

 

What a nice moment by the fire.