Glenglassaugh Distillery
Encyclopedia
The Glenglassaugh Distillery is a malt scotch whisky
distillery which restarted production in November 2008 after being acquired by Dutch investment group Scaent and following a complete refurbishment by the new owners. The distillery was opened on 24 November 2008 by the First Minister for Scotland Alex Salmond MSP who praised the company for their commitment to using the traditional equipment and methods to once again make the unique whisky which is produced at Glenglassaugh.
The Glenglassaugh Distillery is a 133 year old whisky distillery located in a picturesque site just outside the Speyside
region in Northeast Scotland
, close to the small town of Portsoy
, Banffshire
some 54 miles Northwest of Aberdeen
. The Distillery was established in 1875 by a local entrepreneur James Moir and his two nephews, Alexander and William Morrison. James Moir had an expanding grocery business in the town of Portsoy and was wanting to establish a distillery that would produce a whisky of the highest quality to satisfy the growing demand from his customers. The site was originally chosen due to its proximity to a clean and pure water supply of the highest quality (Glassaugh Springs), easy access to the nearby barley fields and because it was known locally to have been the site of one of the many illicit distilleries that had operated in the area and which had produced excellent whisky. Following the death of both James Moir and William Morrison, Alexander Morrison was forced to sell the distillery and in 1892 the company was sold to Highland Distillers
and until 2008 has been owned by them. Highland Distillers are a subsidiary of The Edrington Group
.
During the 20th century the Glenglassaugh Distillery has seen several periods of operation interspersed with silent mothballed periods. In 1960 it was rebuilt and upgraded to double the production capacity and to yield lighter spirit. However in 1986 when the whole whisky industry was reviewing operations the economics of running this relatively small and remote distillery persuaded the owners that they should stop production and the distillery has stayed silent since then. The whisky from this distillery had traditionally been used in the production of renowned blended whiskies such as Cutty Sark
, Laing's, and The Famous Grouse
.
In 2009 the new company released some the old stock as exclusive Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskies with outstanding success. At the 2009 International Wine and Spirit Competition Awards the 30 Year Old expression was awarded a Gold Medal (Best in Class) and the trophy for Best Cask Strength Scotch Whisky and the 40 Year Old was awarded Gold Medal (Best in Class) and the trophy for Best 40 Year Old Scotch Whisky. The 40 year old was also awarded Best 40 Year Old Scotch Whisky and 96 points in Jim Murray's 2010 Whisky Bible.
In 2009 the company also introduced 2 new innovative products which are produced using the same process as that used for making single malt scotch whisky but without the ageing process. "The Spirit Drink that dare not speak its name" is the result of 1 mash of malted barley, fermented and distilled twice. The product is bottled without ageing at 50% abv.
"The Spirit Drink that blushes to speak its name" is also produced in the same way but is allowed to age for 6 months in casks that have previously held red wine. The result is a spirit with a rich rose hue and a flavour of soft fruits and spices and is ideal as a cocktail base or for making long drinks.
In December 2011 the first bottling of Glenglassaugh from spirit distilled under the present ownership will be bottled and released at the distillery visitor centre.
Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland.Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three...
distillery which restarted production in November 2008 after being acquired by Dutch investment group Scaent and following a complete refurbishment by the new owners. The distillery was opened on 24 November 2008 by the First Minister for Scotland Alex Salmond MSP who praised the company for their commitment to using the traditional equipment and methods to once again make the unique whisky which is produced at Glenglassaugh.
The Glenglassaugh Distillery is a 133 year old whisky distillery located in a picturesque site just outside the Speyside
Speyside
Speyside can refer to:* Strathspey, Scotland, the famous whisky producing region by the River Spey** Speyside single malts, the type of whisky produced in Strathspey* Speyside, Trinidad and Tobago in Trinidad and Tobago...
region in Northeast Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, close to the small town of Portsoy
Portsoy
Portsoy is a burgh in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, formerly in the county of Banffshire. The original name of the town was Pert Soaidh, which translates as 'The wooded place of the warriors...
, Banffshire
Banffshire
The County of Banff is a registration county for property, and Banffshire is a Lieutenancy area of Scotland.The County of Banff, also known as Banffshire, was a local government county of Scotland with its own county council between 1890 and 1975. The county town was Banff although the largest...
some 54 miles Northwest of Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
. The Distillery was established in 1875 by a local entrepreneur James Moir and his two nephews, Alexander and William Morrison. James Moir had an expanding grocery business in the town of Portsoy and was wanting to establish a distillery that would produce a whisky of the highest quality to satisfy the growing demand from his customers. The site was originally chosen due to its proximity to a clean and pure water supply of the highest quality (Glassaugh Springs), easy access to the nearby barley fields and because it was known locally to have been the site of one of the many illicit distilleries that had operated in the area and which had produced excellent whisky. Following the death of both James Moir and William Morrison, Alexander Morrison was forced to sell the distillery and in 1892 the company was sold to Highland Distillers
Highland Distillers
Highland Distillers was founded in 1887 by the Robertson family. In 1970 Highland purchased Matthew Gloag & Son Ltd., producers of the Famous Grouse blended whisky and acquired The Macallan single malt Scotch producers in 1996. Highland also produced the Highland Park brand whisky. Highland...
and until 2008 has been owned by them. Highland Distillers are a subsidiary of The Edrington Group
The Edrington Group
The Edrington Group Limited is a major Scotch whisky company involved in blending, bottling, distributing and marketing. It produces several well-known brands, including The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark, and premium single malts The Macallan and Highland Park...
.
During the 20th century the Glenglassaugh Distillery has seen several periods of operation interspersed with silent mothballed periods. In 1960 it was rebuilt and upgraded to double the production capacity and to yield lighter spirit. However in 1986 when the whole whisky industry was reviewing operations the economics of running this relatively small and remote distillery persuaded the owners that they should stop production and the distillery has stayed silent since then. The whisky from this distillery had traditionally been used in the production of renowned blended whiskies such as Cutty Sark
Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark is a clipper ship. Built in 1869, she served as a merchant vessel , and then as a training ship until being put on public display in 1954...
, Laing's, and The Famous Grouse
The Famous Grouse
The Famous Grouse is a brand of blended Scotch whisky, first produced by Matthew Gloag & Son Ltd. in 1897, and now produced by The Edrington Group. The malt whiskies used in The Famous Grouse blend include The Glenrothes, Highland Park Single Malt and Macallan Single Malt. Its emblem is the Red...
.
In 2009 the new company released some the old stock as exclusive Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskies with outstanding success. At the 2009 International Wine and Spirit Competition Awards the 30 Year Old expression was awarded a Gold Medal (Best in Class) and the trophy for Best Cask Strength Scotch Whisky and the 40 Year Old was awarded Gold Medal (Best in Class) and the trophy for Best 40 Year Old Scotch Whisky. The 40 year old was also awarded Best 40 Year Old Scotch Whisky and 96 points in Jim Murray's 2010 Whisky Bible.
In 2009 the company also introduced 2 new innovative products which are produced using the same process as that used for making single malt scotch whisky but without the ageing process. "The Spirit Drink that dare not speak its name" is the result of 1 mash of malted barley, fermented and distilled twice. The product is bottled without ageing at 50% abv.
"The Spirit Drink that blushes to speak its name" is also produced in the same way but is allowed to age for 6 months in casks that have previously held red wine. The result is a spirit with a rich rose hue and a flavour of soft fruits and spices and is ideal as a cocktail base or for making long drinks.
In December 2011 the first bottling of Glenglassaugh from spirit distilled under the present ownership will be bottled and released at the distillery visitor centre.