Glenglassaugh Portsoy

Glenglassaugh Portsoy is a richly peated Highland single malt from the Glenglassaugh distillery, which stands on the Moray Firth coast in the north east of Scotland. It is matured in a combination of sherry, bourbon and port casks, carries no age statement and is bottled at 49.1% ABV.

Buy Glenglassaugh Portsoy Online in New Zealand

Portsoy takes its name from the harbour village a short way along the coast from the distillery. Glenglassaugh dates back to 1875, spent long stretches closed and restarted production in 2008. Its core range is built around the coast, with a 12 Year Old, the unpeated Sandend and Portsoy as the smoky option. Where many peated malts lean on a single cask type, Portsoy puts peated spirit into three, so sherry, bourbon and port wood all leave their mark on the smoke. Independent retailers list it as non-chill filtered with no added colour. The higher strength gives it a fuller texture than the standard 40% to 43% bottlings.

Glenglassaugh’s own tasting notes:

Nose: Sea air with tropical fruit and sherried dark soy, moving into port, liquorice and seaweed.

Palate: Full-bodied, with dark chocolate, fermented soy, charred mango, treacle and a pinch of sea salt.

Pour it neat into a tulip or nosing glass at room temperature and give it a minute. A few drops of water suit this strength and soften the smoke so the fruit comes through. It works with smoked fish, barbecued pork ribs, strong blue cheese or a square of dark chocolate. A good choice for smoky whisky drinkers who like plenty of dark fruit and sweetness with their peat.