Glenglassaugh Portsoy Scotch Whisky
Glenglassaugh Portsoy Scotch Whisky is a richly peated Highland single malt bottled at 49.1% ABV (98.2 proof), matured in a trio of sherry, bourbon and port casks for deep maritime flavour drawn from the distillery’s coastal home beside the North Sea. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 49.1% (98.2 proof)
- Size: 750mL (tag; UK bottling 700mL — confirm on label)
- Casks: sherry, bourbon and port casks
- Style: non age statement, richly peated single malt
- Origin: Glenglassaugh Distillery, Highland, Scotland (master blender Rachel Barrie)
Portsoy: The Peated Face of Glenglassaugh
The harbour village of Portsoy sits a few kilometres along the coast from Glenglassaugh — a late-Victorian distillery that lay silent for decades before reopening in 2008. This expression, one of the three core single malts launched in summer 2023, is the peated one: coastal peat smoke laid over the distillery’s maritime character, then matured in sherry, bourbon and port casks under master blender Rachel Barrie. At 98.2 proof the smoke and fruit arrive in full colour, with the port casks laying a dark-fruit note beneath it all.
Tasting Notes
Rich maritime waves on the nose — tropical fruit, sherried dark soy, rolling into port with liquorice and sea kelp. Full-bodied on the palate: dark chocolate, fermented soy, charred mango with treacle and a crack of sea salt. The finish brings maritime peat smoke, peppery oak, cinnamon and leather.
How to Enjoy
Drink it neat to meet the peat head-on, or add a few drops of water — the Scotch whisky opens up with salted caramel and stewed berries. If you like Islay smoke but want something fruitier and more maritime, Portsoy sits in a rewarding middle ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glenglassaugh Portsoy peated?
Yes — it is the overtly peated expression in the Glenglassaugh core range, with a maritime, seaweed-and-tar smoke style rather than dry Islay ash.
What casks is Glenglassaugh Portsoy matured in?
A combination of sherry, bourbon and port casks — the port casks are what set it apart from the other core expressions.
What is the ABV of Glenglassaugh Portsoy?
49.1% ABV (98.2 proof) — a high bottling strength for maximum flavour impact.
Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA has Glenglassaugh Portsoy ready for online order — a coastal, peated single malt worth discovering. Explore the full Glenglassaugh range with it.