Glasgow Distillery showcases latest small-batch lineup

The Glasgow Distillery has revealed the fourth line of its small-batch series: a trio of expressions finished in Cognac, Tokaji and Innis & Gunn Golden Beer casks.

The series continues on from the other small-batch releases in the Glasgow 177o range, where the brand experimented with wine and beer.

Mike Hayward, co-founder of The Glasgow Distillery, commented: “We’re in a privileged position at The Glasgow Distillery as we produce three different styles of single malt whisky – unpeated, peated and triple distilled.

“Our previous forays into Cognac, Tokaji and Golden Beer cask finishes were so popular that we decided to experiment further using these different styles.’’

Sitting at 52% ABV, the Glasgow 1770 Triple Distilled Cognac Cask Finish was matured for more than five years – first in ex-Bourbon casks for just under three, and then in French Cognac puncheon casks for the final two and a half. According to Hayward, the time spent in the latter has heightened the ‘apple and pear’ notes associated with the brand’s triple distilled whisky.

He described it as a “wonderfully smooth and elegant single malt packed with plenty of tropical and fresh citrus fruits”.

For the 1770 Peated Tokaji Finish, bottled at 53.4% ABV, the spirit first spent three years in virgin American white oak before moving into Hungarian Tokaji hogshead casks for two years to complete the maturation. The change in casks is said to give it a mix of notes, which include candied orange peel, sweet tropical smoke, dried apricot, cashew nut, Manuka honey and dark chocolate – plus a ‘long-lasting’ finish.

Finally, the Glasgow 1770 Golden Beer Cask Finish comes in a collaboration pack with a bottle of Innis & Gunn’s PX Finish Golden Beer – to give consumers a chance to taste both the beer and the whisky, which come from the same wood.

This expression was left in ex-Pedro Ximénez sherry casks for a full year – casks that were previously used to mature Innis & Gunn’s beer – lending to a ‘distinct hoppiness’, alongside notes of sultana, cherry, orange and vanilla. It sits at 58% ABV.

Only 1,576 bottles were made for the Triple Distilled Cognac Cask Finish, and 615 for the Peated Tokaji Cask Finish. Both bottles are available from the distillery’s website for £59 ($US71.69).

The Golden Beer Cask Finish will retail for £64 (US$77) with just 340 bottles available.