Glenglassaugh 15 Years Old Highland Single Malt Whiskey

Glenglassaugh 15 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the sherry-and-wine-led senior of Glenglassaugh's coastal core range, matured entirely in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and Spanish red wine casks from Rioja. It is a natural pick for the drinker who already knows the 12 Year and wants the same maritime house character with a darker, sweeter cask signature.

Process & Profile

Glenglassaugh was founded in 1875 by James Moir and his nephews Alexander and William Morrison on the shore of Sandend Bay, a few miles from the fishing village of Portsoy on Scotland's north-east coast. The distillery was mothballed in 1986 and stayed silent for over twenty years before production resumed in 2008; it now sits in Brown-Forman's portfolio under Master Blender Rachel Barrie, who rebuilt the core range in 2023. This 15-year-old joined that range as a permanent expression in July 2026, bottled at 46% ABV (92 proof) in a 750mL format. Warehouses sitting essentially on the beach give the spirit its salt-tinged edge, which the PX and Rioja wood then wraps in dried fruit.

On the nose, chocolate sauce and salted caramel come first, then sultana, dark manuka honey, bright Spanish orange and a trace of date oil.

On the palate, treacle and caramelised date turn juicier with fresh papaya, over a base of cocoa, coffee grounds and a leafy tobacco note.

The finish is long and oily, holding orange peel and dark chocolate with a faint saline lift at the very end.

Within the Glenglassaugh line-up, this is the expression that leans hardest on Iberian wood. Portsoy is the peated bottling and Sandend is the bourbon-and-manzanilla-driven aperitif style; the 15 skips peat entirely and lets PX sherry and Rioja red wine casks carry the weight, which is what gives it the treacle-and-cocoa density the younger releases do not have.

Serve neat in a Glencairn with a few drops of water to open the orange note; it holds up beside a sticky toffee pudding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this whisky?
A 15-year-old unpeated Highland single malt from Glenglassaugh's coastal distillery at Sandend Bay, near Portsoy.

What are the specs?
15 years old, 46% ABV / 92 proof, matured in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks and Spanish red wine casks from Rioja, 750mL.

What does it taste like?
Salted caramel, sultana and Spanish orange on the nose; treacle, caramelised date, papaya, cocoa and tobacco on the palate, finishing long on orange peel and dark chocolate.

How should you enjoy it?
Neat in a Glencairn with a few drops of water.

Why is this release notable?
It is the oldest age statement in Glenglassaugh's core range, added permanently in July 2026 and matured wholly in PX sherry and Rioja wine wood.