Glasgow 1770 Manzanilla Cask - Small Batch Series Batch 1 - 59%
From the distillery
A limited edition release of 813 bottles at 59% ABV. A single cask, No. 18/218 is our unpeated double distilled spirit filled on the 12th of March 2018 into a refill Manzanilla Sherry Butt that was previously used to mature peated single malt scotch whisky.
Bottled on the 25th of July 2023, this is a rich and fruity single malt with notes of saline smoke, plum, dried apricot, tropical papaya, leather, tobacco, dark chocolate, and rich espresso.
This is the first release of a Manzanilla Sherry Cask matured single malt from our distillery - a perfect showcase of our fruity unpeated single malt whisky with a full-term maturation.
Appearance: Deep amber in colour, forms a thick line which clings to the glass before falling as thick, oily legs in an inverted crown.
Nose: Musty dunnage warehouses, robust smoke, dates, Manuka honey, bonfire toffee and a touch of salinity.
Palate: Damp, musty dunnage floors, struck matches, Medjool dates, Green & Black’s 70% dark chocolate, dry smoke, sea salt and well used leather tobacco pouches. With water, more of the dried fruit notes appear at the expense of some of the peat smoke.
Finish: Lingering sulphurous struck matches, gradually dissipating to be replaced by dark chocolate, nutty oak and a mocha note at the close.
Overall: A big, in your face, filthy dram which may not be to everyone’s taste but for me this is a whisky which really works. I tend to find Manzanilla cask maturation hit and miss as the mustiness can be overpowering, but in this case the use of a refill cask which previously held peated whisky provides just enough and finds a nice balance with the smoke and sulphur.
An outstanding whisky, bottled at 59% for the princely sum of £59 if you can still get hold of a bottle as they’re disappearing fast. I’ve had a liking for Glasgow Distillery for a while now, with bottles like this it’s little wonder they’re becoming a standard feature in the whisky cabinet.
Transparency: this sample pack was received free of charge for independent review. The author has no affiliation with the distillery, all opinions are my own and remain completely impartial.
