Glenglassaugh Blushes

Glenglassaugh, founded in 1875 and since then more closed than open, started a new life in 2008, after the Dutch energy Group Scaent bought the distillery and remaining stocks for the round sum of 5 million pounds. Only 400 casks were included in the deal, so they needed to start distilling quickly. To keep the funds flowing, they decided to market new make spirit. In 2009 they released The Spirit Drink That Dare Not Speak Its Name, followed by The Spirit Drink That Blushes To Speak Its Name. The first is now marketed as Clearac, while the second is simply called Blushes. Let’s give that one a go.

Blushes is new make that has undergone a 6 month maturation on Californian red wine casks. Hence the pink hue.

The new Glenglassaugh character that I already discovered in the Spirit Drink, returns to the nose here, upholstered with red berries, a whiff of smoke and something mineral and heather-like. The red wine is barely discernable and not intrusive, just a touch of sourness. But that doesn’t mean I enjoy it.

This spirit is somewhat sharp in the mouth. The sweetness dominates, but the wine is now more pronounced. I’m not sure I’m happy about that. Slightly spiced, I get a slight metallic note as well. The nose was okay, the palate needs more work.

The finish is fairly long and mildly spicy. If Stuart Nickerson can keep the wine influence under control, this could become a nice whisky. However, I prefer the unmatured Spirit Drink.

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