Glenglassaugh Evolution (50%, OB, 2017)

• Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: Glenglassaugh Distillery
• Bottling: Brown-Forman
• ABV: 50%
• Cost: £44.44

What they say:

Evolution

Glenglassaugh Evolution is created by maturing the whisky in a unique combination of the finest hand-picked ex-Tennessee first-fill whiskey barrels. This expression shows great depth of character and finesse, a harmonious combination of whisky and oak. Bottled at 50%, natural colour and non chill filtered, Evolution represents the heart of Glenglassaugh’s distinctive personality, and indeed the landscape in which it is set.

Colour: Crisp harvest gold.

Nose: A luscious syrupy combination of sweet barley, delicate pineapple and waves of soft buttery vanilla. Deeper oak spices and caramelised pear develop and warm the nose.

Palate: Robust, white peppery oak floods through crisp green apple and freshly cracked barley. A gentle salted caramel emerges alongside hints of ripe banana and fruit salad syrup.

Finish: A vibrant combination of classic oak spices and delicate soft fruits surrounded by fragrant waves of vanilla pod.

What I say:

Sampled at sea! During our visit to Glenglassaugh distillery we were transported from Portsoy to Sandend by RIB and  introduced to Glenglassaugh Evolution by Rachel Barrie, Whisky Maker for Brown-Forman, whilst bobbing amongst the waves in Sandend Bay. Here Rachel is explaining the significance of the Cormorants surrounding the stills and barley motifs on Glenglassaugh’s crest, of which we observed many during our excursion around the coastline, and of the role the environment and elements shape and influence the whisky produced at Glenglassaugh.

Appearance:

Full amber gold (10/20), medium-large tears, oily with thick legs

Nose:

Sweet honey and syrup and thick vanilla essence, cereal barley malt gristy and slightly baked/biscuit followed by fruit salad with banana, melon, apple, pear as well as tropical pineapple and mango, salted caramel and buttery salted popcorn were enhanced by the locale.

Taste:

Spirity at 50% with a spice of white pepper, hints of ginger and cinnamon, fruity apple & pear juices, lead into more tropical notes of banana and pineapple, honey and golden syrup sweeten and soften on the palate, melted butter, caramel and butter fudge, cereal malted barley and salted caramel and eventually white oak and vanilla.

Finish:

Medium-long, fruity, vanilla, gently seasoned with salt and spice

Overall:

An unctuous dram full of spirit and 1st fill cask characters, the tropical fruit and buttery salt of Glenglassaugh are bolstered by vanilla and wood spices.

Score: 84/100

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