Glenglassaugh Revival

Rating: 11/23 I really don't know much about this. I just grabbed a sample to try another entry in the Glenglassaugh line. N: Light. Some faint toasty nuttiness that is kind of rich. Not a lot of alcohol coming off here, but I do get a a hint of a meaty funk. Some slightly burned dried grass starts coming out too, then something clearly grainy that's also a bit tart and rich. Sourdough bread? There may be a hint of buckwheat in there too. P: This is young with a substantial amount of alcohol. There's a decent amount of burn here as well, though it isn't overwhelming. Despite the ABV, the palate is a bit thin too. I get some light nutty and fruity (light, slightly floral cherry with faint tangerine) notes suggesting that something in here had a sherry finish. I also get some nutty maltiness mixed with grass and some smoke. A little cinnamon comes out at times and I get a touch of vanilla too, mixed with a dash of white chocolate. The sweet maltiness and sherry briefly turn into sort of an artificial caramel flavor, kind of like some barleywines have. I suspect some PX finishing was happening here for at least some of the juice in this bottle. There's a hint of sulfur, but not nearly as much as in something like Highland Park 12. I also get a bit of something at times that's maybe sort of like a mellow malted rye flavor with some character from an old fashioned doughnut (made with buttermilk and a hint of nutmeg). There's isn't much complexity here and there's a bit of a burn for sure, but the balance - aside from the clear youthfulness - is actually pretty good. They did a good job using a clean distillate for this one. I do get this pure alcohol flavor out of it though that reminds me a bit of vodka. F: Clean water with smoky grass, and echoes of the fruit and light nut from the sherry. - Conclusion - Glenglassaugh did a fine job of putting out what is clearly a young whisky here. It's light and not super interesting, but it's pretty sippable. I wouldn't mind having it too much if I didn't want to contemplate anything. On more of a technical level, Glenglassaugh Evolution and Glenglassaugh Pedro Ximenez Sherry Wood Finish are better. This is not as far behind as I'd expected though. There's definitely more alcohol going on here, but it has a good quintessential Scotch profile. It actually reminds me a bit of Macallan and is competitive with Glenmorangie The Original. I don't like this as much as the Evolution or PX Finish, but I like it a lot better than I'd expected. This is in the an 11 or 12. There's a really nice, traditional core flavor here, but the spirit is too light and immature. I'm torn, but I think I'll go with an 11.

My first Glenglassaugh was this Revival expression, which i believe is the first one released after the reopening of the distillery in 2013. This whisky has been matured in red wine casks, sherry casks and ex bourbon. Bottled at 46%abv, pale straw color. On the nose it starts very appealing then after a first sip everything falls terribly. My first nosing lifted me up since i had no expectations on this dram and it was all about grapes. Lots of grapy aromas, white wine, acetone, star anise, champagne. It is definitively young and rough on the edges but the nose is very sympathic, Sugar syrup; Nice barley sweetness. Very sugary. BUT, after a first sip, the nose became too harsh, it lost some of its sweetness, aromas dropped quite heavily. Not a good thing. On the palate, it is fairly enjoyable and it continues the same profile from the first nosing. Rich grapes, Plums, White wine, Pepper and Green apples. A second sip gave me more apples, but it also became a little rougher. Aftertaste was very simple but decent. Dry finish, with a raw rice feeling, some grapes and spices. Overall, this is an everyday dram, easy to drink but even if it intended to deliver nice aroma and tasting notes, it is inconsistent through sips, falling dramatically in its flavor profile. My score for it is a truthful 75 over 100. I need to explore more from this distillery to finally give my overall opinion of their range.

Sweet plum, berries, caramel from start to finish. Medium finish and strength is perfect for a 46% ABV. Rounded and viscous upon entry that lasts and remains after the initial burst that follows entry. Earthy, sherried nose with cherry aromas that match the taste. A pure, unadulterated scotch. This is a magnificent whisky and astonishingly enhanced at the price point. Using this rating system, anything less than four stars is delusional and misappropriation. These do not know their whiskeys. This is easily a 90/100 on traditional scales, and worth the 96 at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. High expectations before trying due to virtual and actual recommendations, and this did not disappoint. Out of this price range, I would not want to buy it simply because I would be frustrated that such an opportunity became less of one. Not a hint of brine or bitterness, or anything synthetic or medicinal. This is borderline angel’s share. Satin sherry, silky wine comes through. I have an affinity for a port or any wine finish or maturation for my hooch. This is a pleasant dram trifecta—sherry, red wine and bourbon matured—for me. However, one letter “e” keeps this from being my dream dram. The “e” is for ethereal. Of everything this spirit is, what it is not is dreamy. A dream spirit must simply be just that. This spirit does entice and create desire with its touch of toffee. A tour de force of a Highland.

Nose: Dominating red wine influence, sherry, dark fruits and honeyed oak. Palate: Quite sweet, buttery oakiness, lighter fruits than the nose would suggest and oak spice. Surprisingly heavier presence than typical highland at this price, but noticeable youthfulness as well. Finish: Sherry and spices, goes down with more “oompf” than a entry highland, the 46% shows. Overall: A conflicting dram for me: on one-hand, Glenglassaugh aimed to make a different entry-level highland single malt using sherry and wine casks, and the implementation was successful. On the other hand, the youthfulness and body really shows, in a detracting manner. I say this is worth a try, but unless strong wine cask is what you’re into, I doubt it will be anyone’s favorite. I would rate it 3 stars, but another 0.25 for novelty. P.S.: At the risk of inciting drama, this dram is noticeably better in a copita glass than in a glencairn. The shape of the copita glass further intensifies the wine note in the nose at the cost of masking minor details, but it hides the alcohol and youthfulness as well; a good trade off.

My Lord, the red wine is quite strong here! The first approach to the glass is of very clear red fruit, with an explosion of strawberries, blueberries, cherries, plums... sweet and sour, where sherry and wine team up to asphalt everything else on the nose. Digging in this fruity blanket, you can find some marzipan, nutmeg, dried dates, some hazelnuts. The influence of the barrels is very strong, quite too much. And it's the sherry that dominates the palate, very pasty, with raisins infused in alcohol, cinnamon, a touch of pepper, dark chocolate, plums, light woody background. Warm and soft, but fairly flat and monotonous. Medium finish, slightly ashy, spicy, of wine, cherries, wood. Definitely the least interesting of the three NAS of the Glenglassaugh core range, the contribution of wine barrels disturbs the aromas on the nose and then practically fades on the palate, which remains in the wake of the thousands and thousands sherried already on the market. Surely it is not to be thrown away, given the price, but it is largely negligible.

Have seen this one many times but at $50s I passed over for more well known/regarded single malts. It was on sale at TW for $35 so figured Id give it a shot. Let me tell you its well worth $50s this is delicious scotch. Non chill and natural color shows the way to the quality of this distillery. Poured neat with a drop really opens it up, nose is peach marmalade, dried apricot, thick malt and toasted oak with sea salt. Palate is creamy rich malt, blended yellow fruits and a stick of salted butter melted in for good measure. Light barrel oak and char on the outskirts. Finish is lingering malt and salt, fading fruits and gently drying woods. This strikes a wonderful balance between sweet and savory with excellent texture and strong malty presence(which I like). Deep flavors despite NAS. I got a steal but recommend at normal pricing without hesitation.......87/100.....This one surprised me and score could go up as I go through bottle