The popular community pub Nauticus, located in Leith, Edinburgh, has marked its first anniversary with the release of a single-cask bottling of Glenglassaugh.
The spirit filled into cask 288 was distilled in 2011 and has been matured in a Sauternes hogshead barrel for eight years before being bottled at cask strength of 56.1% in May 2019. The expression was chosen for its distinctive character developed through wine-cask ageing. Just 275 bottles of this celebratory single malt are available for RRP £64.95 from Nauticus and Royal Mile Whiskies.
The duo behind the bar’s creation, Kyle Jamieson and Iain McPherson, opened Nauticus in late 2018 with the aim of 'showcasing the best of Scottish produce', whilst drawing brand and decor inspiration from Leith’s seafaring history and links to global trade. This is not the first time the bar has bottled a single cask, having previously partnered with Isle of Arran Distillery for a Tuscan wine cask matured expression.
Working with their team of bartenders, Kyle and Iain identified the perfect cask for bottling following a rigorous blind tasting session of a handful of the Highland distillery’s rarest stock, which was made available by Glenglassaugh master blender, Dr. Rachel Barrie.
Kyle Jamieson, co-owner at Nauticus, commented:
“This single cask Glenglassaugh bottling is a special landmark for us as we celebrate our first birthday. After sampling about 12 single malts from across the Highland region, this Glenglassaugh cask was a clear winner for us and stood out with its fantastic character. Our ethos in Nauticus is to always put Scottish produce and Leith’s rich wine and spirits history under the spotlight. We believe this specific cask captures this perfectly in whisky form.”
Dr. Rachel Barrie, master blender at Glenglassaugh Distillery, said:
“This limited expression is a beautifully layered whisky that has been shaped and nurtured by the distillery’s coastal location and the elements surrounding our warehouses, boasting a delicious contrast of sweet flavour from the Sauternes oak with a hint of saltiness from the North Sea air that breaths into our casks. It’s been fantastic to work with the Nauticus team to bottle a really unique single malt in celebration of one of Scotland’s most exciting bars.”
TASTING NOTES
By Christopher Coates
GLENGLASSAUGH
2011 Single Sauternes Cask Nauticus 1st Anniversary
Brown-Forman
ABV: 56.1%
Bottling: Distillery, Single Cask
Style: Single Malt
Region: Highland
Price: £64.95
Availability: Nauticus, Royal Mile Whiskies
Nose: Honey and lemon in a cup of Chamomile tea. Strawberry cables and butterscotch.
Palate: Well balanced and delicate, considering the strength. Poached apples and vanilla are complimented by drying and pleasantly bitter black tea tannins. There's a touch of creaminess and dried tropical fruit too, with some prickly spices.
Finish: Medium, with balance of the vanilla and tannin.
Comment: A very well-balanced dram.
Score: N/A*
*Sample not tasted blind.
The spirit filled into cask 288 was distilled in 2011 and has been matured in a Sauternes hogshead barrel for eight years before being bottled at cask strength of 56.1% in May 2019. The expression was chosen for its distinctive character developed through wine-cask ageing. Just 275 bottles of this celebratory single malt are available for RRP £64.95 from Nauticus and Royal Mile Whiskies.
The duo behind the bar’s creation, Kyle Jamieson and Iain McPherson, opened Nauticus in late 2018 with the aim of 'showcasing the best of Scottish produce', whilst drawing brand and decor inspiration from Leith’s seafaring history and links to global trade. This is not the first time the bar has bottled a single cask, having previously partnered with Isle of Arran Distillery for a Tuscan wine cask matured expression.
Working with their team of bartenders, Kyle and Iain identified the perfect cask for bottling following a rigorous blind tasting session of a handful of the Highland distillery’s rarest stock, which was made available by Glenglassaugh master blender, Dr. Rachel Barrie.
Kyle Jamieson, co-owner at Nauticus, commented:
“This single cask Glenglassaugh bottling is a special landmark for us as we celebrate our first birthday. After sampling about 12 single malts from across the Highland region, this Glenglassaugh cask was a clear winner for us and stood out with its fantastic character. Our ethos in Nauticus is to always put Scottish produce and Leith’s rich wine and spirits history under the spotlight. We believe this specific cask captures this perfectly in whisky form.”
Dr. Rachel Barrie, master blender at Glenglassaugh Distillery, said:
“This limited expression is a beautifully layered whisky that has been shaped and nurtured by the distillery’s coastal location and the elements surrounding our warehouses, boasting a delicious contrast of sweet flavour from the Sauternes oak with a hint of saltiness from the North Sea air that breaths into our casks. It’s been fantastic to work with the Nauticus team to bottle a really unique single malt in celebration of one of Scotland’s most exciting bars.”
TASTING NOTES
By Christopher Coates
GLENGLASSAUGH
2011 Single Sauternes Cask Nauticus 1st Anniversary
Brown-Forman
ABV: 56.1%
Bottling: Distillery, Single Cask
Style: Single Malt
Region: Highland
Price: £64.95
Availability: Nauticus, Royal Mile Whiskies
Nose: Honey and lemon in a cup of Chamomile tea. Strawberry cables and butterscotch.
Palate: Well balanced and delicate, considering the strength. Poached apples and vanilla are complimented by drying and pleasantly bitter black tea tannins. There's a touch of creaminess and dried tropical fruit too, with some prickly spices.
Finish: Medium, with balance of the vanilla and tannin.
Comment: A very well-balanced dram.
Score: N/A*
*Sample not tasted blind.
