Glenglassaugh 2018/2023, 5YO PX Cask, Claxton's Spirits for Precious Liquors/Singapore Exclusive

Distillery:  Glenglassaugh

Bottler: Claxton’s Spirits

Distilled: 2018

Bottled: 2023

Aging: 5 years old

Bottles: 300

Cask: 1st fill Pedro Ximenez

ABV: 57.7%

Volume: 700 ml

Bottling info:

The foundation of every exceptional bottling lies in the initial sampling process. In this instance, the selection was effortlessly made. The objective was to discover an affordable yet remarkably enjoyable and smooth whisky, suitable for everyday consumption. Glenglassaugh 5 Years Old Claxton’s for Precious Liquors 2018 is a limited-edition Highland single malt from Glenglassaugh, released by independent bottler Claxton’s Spirits exclusively for Precious Liquors in Singapore. The single malt was distilled on 30 April 2018 and matured for 5 years in a first-fill Pedro Ximénez hogshead. It was bottled on 10 July 2023 at 57.7%. One of 300 bottles. 

Tasting note:

Nose: intense, volatile, very fruity, cherries, plums, raisins, nuts, marmalade/multi-fruit jam, berries, shortcrust pastry with fruit filling (dried fruit) – Mince Pie, dried apples, some kerosene, gasoline, damp warehouses with barrels, varnish, car repair shop, grease, musty notes, earthy notes, alcohol very well hidden, dried rose petals, rose donut filling

Taste: very sweet and fruity, lots of dried fruits, red and black currants, cranberries, plums, cherries, raisins, figs, fruit cake, nut notes, chocolate, a bit of coffee, a bit of salt, still slightly musty, moisture, slightly maritime notes, juicy red apples, strawberries, oily and exceptionally complex for its age, well-balanced, alcohol again nicely incorporated, oak, traces of leather, mix of nuts and dried fruits, syrupy, thick, even liqueur-like

Finish: sweet and very fruity until the very end, some oak appears, chocolate, coffee and leather notes return, a bit of salt, disappears quite quickly, encouraging you to take another sip

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To sum up, Claxton’s Exclusives Glenglassaugh 5yo for Precious Liquors is a young and characterful Glenglassaugh that, if we let it breathe, will show that we only want more of it. As I mentioned earlier, I realize that some notes may be off-putting, but really, if you get the chance to try it, give it a while. Then the ubiquitous fruits will possess your palate and the whisky will become highly drinkable. Personally, I am very positively surprised by what I received. I had the impression that I was dealing with a mature and balanced whisky, not a young, unformed and not very complex expression. Well… I only regret that I don’t have a bottle at home to share…

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