Simon Wittenberg takes a look at the latest release from Glenglassaugh, which has been shaped by the influences of the land and sea for over half a century.

Glenglassaugh, the Scottish whisky distillery in Banffshire, has unveiled its new and rare 50 Year Old whisky expression. Limited to just 264 bottles priced at £5,500 each, Glenglassaugh 50 Year Old has matured in the distillery’s coastal warehouses overlooking Sandend Bay. It also comes highly acclaimed thanks to winning the highest possible accolade of double gold at the USA’s prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

This exceptional single malt has been bottled with a natural manuka honey colour at 40% ABV from a single Pedro Ximénez sherry cask hailing from Andalucīa in Southern Spain. Whisky connoisseurs are treated to a nose boasting layers of sweet almond frangipane, figs and blackberry, carried on a wave of ocean spice, toasted oak and salted honeycomb.

On the palate, it’s a complex combination of cassis and soft exotic fruits with rolling waves of papaya, mango and cherry. Glenglassaugh 50 Year Old has a soft lingering finish of caramelised pear, pineapple and pomegranate, beautifully intertwined with almond and refined oak.

Each bottle is housed in a bespoke presentation box designed to display the bottle and the liquid’s rich tones and can be purchased from specialist retailers in Europe and Asia.

Rachel Barrie, Master Blender at Glenglassaugh Distillery, said a lot could happen in half a century, and this whisky has seen many important milestones whilst maturing in their warehouses, from the distillery being lost, then revived 13 years ago, to the release of its first core range celebrating its youthful spirit.

She added that it was a privilege to unveil this premium bottling to whisky fans around the world at the beginning of a new chapter for Glenglassaugh, which celebrates both old and new.

Glenglassaugh 50 Year Old – Where and How?

For more information on Glenglassaugh 50 Year Old, visit www.glenglassaugh.com.

Read more whisky reviews, guides and features here.