An exceptionally rare 55-year-old Glenglassaugh Scotch whisky has shattered auction records after going under the hammer in the United Kingdom. Offered as part of the Distillers One of One Charity Auction, which aids in raising vital funds for disadvantaged children in Scotland, the Glenglassaugh Coalescene of the Coast aged 55 years tipped the scales at a whopping AUD$71,518 (£37,500). According to the organisers, the remarkable sum marks the highest price ever achieved for a Glenglassaugh release at auction, but this whisky had more than just time on its side.
The unique Scotch was handpicked by master blender Dr Rachel Barrie, who worked alongside the cellar master to identify the top stocks in the maturation room. The whisky legend settled on three rare individual casks, originally filled in 1963, 1965 and 1967, respectively. From there Barrie blended the trio of elixirs to create a one-of-a-kind expression that she says celebrates the “extraordinary character of Glenglassaugh”.
“The elixir within this bespoke bottle of Glenglassaugh is a precise composition which captures Glenglassaugh at its quintessential peak, with seductive cassis, sublime mandarin peel and soft aromatic sherry in a caress of silken oak,” Barrie said. “One sip awakens the senses with mesmerising waves of luscious black cherry, ripe mango and tropical flora carried on an endless ocean breeze. To taste Glenglassaugh Single Malt is to experience the evocative coastal influence of Sandend Bay.
Importantly, the lucky bidder walked away with more than just a great dram. The Glenglassaugh Coalescence of the Coast aged 55 Years arrived in a custom-made decanter housed inside a bespoke, hand-crafted wooden box that was inspired by the distillery’s coast home.
According to Glenglassaugh, the ripples that adorn the bottle speak to the Sandend Bay shore that surrounds the Scotch-maker, while referencing the natural serpentine marble from the distillery’s neighbouring harbour town, Portsoy. The lot buyer also copped three miniature samples, one taken from each of the three casks used for the marriage.
The latest auction result caps an impressive period for Glenglassaugh, just months after the brand unveiled a new range of house whiskies. A stellar revitalisation project with Barrie at the helm is helping to steer the heritage brand in a bold new direction and the master blender is not done yet.
“Now is such an exciting time for Glenglassaugh,” Barrie said. “We’re still riding the wave of the new portfolio launch and we have so much to look forward to with some exquisite new releases of old and rare whisky which date back to the ’60s and ’70s still to come. Watch this space.”
