The WeeDrammers gathered at John G on May 21st to sample numbers 170 and 171 in our quest. On this occasion, John served two more obscure selections both making the journey from Florida. Each presented a unique tasting experience. As is the tradition, John offered an assortment of appies to accompany the whisky – lox and cheese, grilled sausage, meatballs, a variety of hard cheeses and the mandatory dark chocolate all made an appearance.
John’s first dram was Glenglassaugh Sandend. While the group has sampled other products from Glenglassaugh, the Sandend was a wonderful addition.
After laying silent for over two decades, the Glenglassaugh stills were fired back up in 2008, and by 2023, a new core range now available. The distillery sits on the rugged north Aberdeenshire coast, nestled behind the beautiful surfer’s haven, Sandend Bay. Master blender Rachel Barrie has honoured Sandend in the form of this unpeated single malt.
Matured in a combo of bourbon, sherry, and manzanilla casks, it’s bursting with notes of tropical fruit and tablet, with delicate coastal salinity in the distance.
Tasting Notes:
- Nose – delightful notes of buttery fudge, vanilla ice cream, candied mango, and salted papaya.
- Palate – mango, and toasted vanilla trickle throughout, backed by pineapple, tropical cherry and grapefruit
- Finish Grapefruit and juicy berries, more vanilla and butterscotch
Glenglassaugh Sandend comes in at 50% ABV and is available (in Florida at least) at $130.00
John’s second selection for this occasion was the Invergordon Single Grain 18 year old, a veritable dessert whisky perfect to end an evening.
The Invergordon Distillery was founded in 1959 in the town of Invergordon and started operations in 1961.
Invergordon Distillery is located in the town of Invergordon and is named after a local laird – Sir William Gordon. Dating back to the 18th century, the town has evolved into a commercial port and then naval port in the early 1900’s. Today, the town is one of Scotland’s busiest cruise ship ports – an affluent audience of world travellers using the Cromarty Firth harbour as a gateway to explore Loch Ness, Culloden, and some glorious Highland castles.
The Invergordon 18 year old remains somewhat of a hidden gem, Single grain Whisky is made from water and malted barley, and may include one or more additional grains, often rye, wheat, or corn. It is distilled from a grain or mixture of grains – malted or unmalted – at one single distiller and must be aged for at least three years. It may be produced using a copper pot, column or hybrid still and ‘single’ refers to the fact that it must be made at a single distillery, rather than from a single grain.
This Single Grain Scotch Whisky has spent eighteen years maturing in American White Oak ex-Bourbon casks, giving it a deliciously creamy character with a rich mouthfeel.
Tasting Notes:
- Nose – Sugar snaps, sweet vanilla, orchard fruits and sweet cinnamon spice
- Palate – Custard, toasted coconut, crisp orchard fruits and a hint of mango
- Finish – Apple pie, tropical fruits, cinnamon and liquorice
43% ABV and comes in at $170.00 once the conversion to Cdn. dollars is complete.
