Description
Glenglassaugh Sandend is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky from the Glenglassaugh distillery, which sits on the Moray Firth coast near the village of Portsoy. It takes its name from Sandend Bay, the crescent-shaped beach right beside the distillery. The whisky is matured in a mix of bourbon, Oloroso sherry and Manzanilla sherry casks, a combination rarely seen in Highland whisky, and it is bottled at 50.5% ABV.
Buy Glenglassaugh Sandend Online in NZ
Glenglassaugh was founded in 1875, and its position by the sea has shaped its identity ever since. The distillery fell silent in 1986 and stayed closed for more than two decades before being brought back into production in 2008. Today it belongs to the same family as The GlenDronach and Benriach, with Dr Rachel Barrie overseeing the whisky making.
Sandend is one of the coastal single malts released when Glenglassaugh relaunched its core range in 2023. The Manzanilla casks are the interesting part. Manzanilla is a pale, dry sherry from the seaside town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Spain, and its tangy, saline character suits a whisky built around the coast. Bourbon casks add vanilla and tropical fruit, while Oloroso brings some depth and richness.
At 50.5% ABV it has real weight, so take it neat first, then add a few drops of water to open up the fruit and salt. It suits fresh seafood, salted caramel desserts or a sharp aged cheddar.
- Coastal Highland single malt from Glenglassaugh, near Portsoy
- Bourbon, Oloroso and Manzanilla sherry casks
- Bottled at 50.5% ABV
On the nose there is buttery vanilla and tropical fruit with chocolate and a touch of sea salt. The palate brings salted caramel, pineapple, mango and honey with soft spice. The finish lingers with fruit sweetness, gentle salinity and light oak.
The balance between sweet tropical fruit and that salty edge is what sets Sandend apart from richer, sherry-led Highland malts.
A rewarding bottle for single malt fans who like coastal character, and a considered gift for a whisky lover who enjoys trying something different.
