Launch of Glenglassaugh In Malaysia

Never one to say no to a whiskey invitation if I can help it, I was rather glad to be able to attend the launch of  Glenglassaugh by Single Malt Sdn Bhd (Single & Available), with the presence of the Glenglassaugh brand ambassador; Mr Stewart Buchanan

At the launch, there were 5 types that were unveiled, though we only got to try 3, (drat, I was so hoping to try the 40 year old), the Glenglassaugh Revival, Glenglassaugh Evolution, Glenglassaugh Torfa and the rare Glenglassaugh 30 Year Old and Glenglassaugh 40 Year Old.

Glenglassaugh is one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries dating back to 1875. Located  on the Banffshire
coast close to the village of Portsoy, it was founded by a local merchant named James Moir.

After several trials and tribulations, it saw life again in 2008 under a new group of investors, and
2012 saw the introduction of ‘Revival’ and ‘Evolution’ – the first single malt Scotch whiskies to be
produced at the distillery in over two decades.

In 2013, the BenRiach Distillery Company bought Glenglassaugh distillery. The Edinburgh-
headquartered BenRiach is led by industry veteran and master blender Billy Walker and his partners,
South African whisky entrepreneurs Geoff Bell and Wayne Kieswetter.

Glenglassaugh is produced using the highest quality of Scottish barley and traditional distillery
methods. While many distilleries have become highly automated; at Glenglassaugh, the spirit is still handcrafted by a small, highly skilled team dedicated to creating the highest quality product, using only the finest casks.

We were privileged to have Stewart MacKenzie Buchanan,  Brand Ambassador for Benriach, Glendronach and Glenglassaugh, who has been in the whisky industry since 1993, when he started as a Stillman in Tobermory Distillery (also previously owned by Billy Walker)

In late 2011 he became the Brand Ambassador for the company, which entails travelling to all their markets across the world hosting tasting, attending whisky events and working with media, letting as many people as possible experience all their  expressions over the three distilleries.

Revival is the first single malt Scotch whisky that has been produced in over 20 years from the
Glenglassaugh distillery. A gorgeous shade of  Copper, with Sweet caramel and toffee with notes of nutty sherry, milk chocolate and honey on the nose.
Palate: Sweet, rounded and creamy. Organes, plums, cherry and walnuts, chocolate, honey-
mead, sherry and soft, spiced oak.
Finish: Medium with warming mulled-wine spices, sherry and caramel.

Evolution – ex-Tennesssee cask matured

Matured in first fill ex-Tennessee whisky barrels and shows great depth of character and finesse, a
harmonious combination of whisky and oak.
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.

Torfa - A different take on whiskies typically produced in the highlands, it has the distinction of peatniness...which clearly wasn't everyone's goblet of whisky.  Some said it smelt like disinfectant, one said it reminded him of his grandfather's clinic, but I personally LOVED the Torfa.  The colour is a gorgeous gleaming yellow gold, and on the nose, Vivid, sweet, sooty campfire smoke,  apricot and ripe soft fruits.

I guess you need a tongue and palate truly sensitive to be able to pick up so many varieties on the palate.
Palate: An eloquent, sweet coastal peat smoke engulfs candied peel over melon, pineapple
and roasted red apples. Oat biscuits, hints of heather honey and a gentle cigar box
spice all combine to give a terrific balance to the expressive smoky character.

Finish: A heady, yet elegant harmony of distinct coastal peat and striking spiced fruit
flavours.

Product range now available at Single and Available stores-

- Glenglassaugh Revival, 46% (no age statement) retailing at RM270 per bottle

- Glenglassaugh Evolution, 50% (no age statement) retailing at RM309 per bottle

- Glenglassaugh Torfa, 50% (no age statement) retailing at RM299 per bottle

- Glenglassaugh 30YO, 44.8% retailing at RM2280 per bottle

- Glenglassaugh 40YO, 42.5% retailing at RM8500 per bottle