Glenglassaugh Sandend Single Malt Whiskey 700ml

Glenglassaugh Distillery was founded in 1875 by Colonel James Moir on Scotland's rugged Aberdeenshire coast, near the village of Portsoy overlooking the Moray Firth. Its history has been marked by long stretches of dormancy, closing in 1907 for over five decades and again in 1986 for more than twenty years, before an independent investment group revived production in 2008. The distillery later came under the ownership of Brown-Forman, the company behind Jack Daniel's. Sandend, named for the crescent-shaped bay beside the distillery, is a non-age-statement release crafted by master blender Rachel Barrie, who has personal ties to the area from childhood visits.

The whisky is unpeated and distilled using water drawn from the Glassaugh Burn, then matured in a combination of bourbon, sherry, and manzanilla casks, an unusual trio that contributes to its layered character. This coastal Highland malt draws its identity directly from its exposed seaside location, which lends a distinct salinity to the finished spirit.

The nose offers buttery vanilla and tropical fruit, with soft citrus and a touch of sea salt. On the palate, salted caramel meets bursts of pineapple, peach, and grapefruit, all carried along by a persistent coastal minerality. The finish is long, spiced, and gently explosive, closing on a sweet, briny note.