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Review: Glasgow 1770 Cognac Cask Finish Batch 2 (Lightly Peated) 6 Year Old

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Review: Glasgow 1770 Cognac Cask Finish Batch 2 6 Year Old

Name: Glasgow 1770 Whisky Review: Cognac Cask Finish Batch 2 (6 Year Old)
Item: Review: Glasgow 1770 Cognac Cask Finish Batch 2 (Lightly Peated) 6 Year Old
Rating: 8
Author: Pete "Jeff Whisky" Jeffery

A clearly exceptional release from The Glasgow 1770 Distillery, a bottling that offers gentle smokiness, with huge dessert notes.

by Pete "Jeff Whisky" Jeffery
October 13, 2024

Jeff, a UK-based whisky reviewer with a lighthearted approach.

Tasting Notes:

About:

The lightly peated release in this years 1770 small batch series from Glasgow Distillery which is a marriage of three unpeated Cognac casks and two peated casks following the initial maturation within first fill ex-bourbon casks.

Appearance:

A burnished deep gold colour with a good viscosity in the glass.

Nose:

The first notes are caramel, toffee and butter similar to Werther Original sweets. The subtle smoke is present and reminiscent of slightly burnt toast smeared in apricot jam. Plenty of orchard fruits to be found in the aroma from prickly conference pears to ripe red apples.

This what I can only imagine a wood fire that was put out with honey would smell like.

Palate:

Similar to the Tokaji cask release in this batch the ABV is the first to hit but swiftly opens into peaches and cream sweets and butter toffees. It develops into a much more savory flavour with pastries and roast chicken flavored crisps. After a while a fresh menthol peppermint note appears contrasting with a slight bitter and over brewed green tea.

Finish:

A long and deep finish which is really reminiscent of Walkers (Lays) Roast chicken flavour crisps crips and a fresh thyme and pine needle exhale.

Comments:

A whisky that develops and builds with each sip providing a burst of thick flavours with a powerful finish. One that requires time and possibly a drop of water to become more approachable. Possibly my favourite release I have tried from Glasgow Distillery Co to date.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Should You Buy The Glasgow 1770 Cognac Finish?

From the sounds of this review, we should all be heading out to buy this as soon as we can. If you’re a fan of a little bit of smokiness in your single malts, and the whirlwind of sweet, dessert-driven creaminess that is clearly on offer from these cask maturations – this is a perfect liquid for you, from a distillery that is gaining a reputation in every positive way with every new release.

Bottled at a high strength with no filtering, no coloring, and a bourbon cask maturation with the Cognac cask finishing, this sounds like an absolute delight to have in the cabinet, whether you’re sharing with friends or just having a glass by yourself.

Is The Cognac Finish A Good Introduction To The Glasgow 1770 Range?

In some ways yes, and in some ways no.

Let’s start with the positives first. If you want a distillery style that has become well renowned for its creamier styles of single malt and is very consistent with its regular release, as well as bringing out some rather bespoke small batch and single cask offerings – The Glasgow Distillery is incredible to watch grow and develop.

The only real downside is that if this was the first expression you were to try from them, it is a little exuberant, for want of a better word. It’s the distillery style turned up to 10 with a little smoke, high strength, and with a big cask finish. It’s wonderful whisky, but we’d say try the regular bottlings first. Always start at the ground floor.

Final Thoughts.

A clearly exceptional release from The Glasgow 1770 Distillery, a bottling that offers gentle smokiness, with huge dessert notes that offer a clear and delicious contrast to each other. Add it to your list!

Pete "Jeff Whisky" Jeffery

Based in the South West of the UK, Jeff brings an irreverent and laid-back approach to whisky reviewing, dispelling any notions of snobbery surrounding the spirit. With a genuine enthusiasm for exceptional drams, he often embraces the whimsical side of whisky. Jeff's tongue-in-cheek whisky content has earned him recognition in the Malt Whisky Yearbook, and he has contributed articles and reviews to numerous whisky platforms.

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