Glasgow Distillery has become one of the interesting names in Scotch whisky, doing so many things right (nice people, nice whisky, nice prices) and this line-up shows why. From the core range to the small-batch releases, these six whiskies give a good sense of what the distillery does best and how far it is willing to push things.
Glasgow 1770 The Original (2022) Review
Glasgow 1770 “The Original” is the inaugural signature single malt Scotch whisky from The Glasgow Distillery Company, marking the return of single malt production to the city of Glasgow for the first time since 1902. It is a Lowland, no-age-statement (NAS) whisky—though generally understood to be around 4 to 5 years old—distilled in copper pot stills using concerto malted barley and water from Loch Katrine. The spirit is matured initially in first-fill ex-bourbon casks before undergoing a finishing period of 6 to 9 months in virgin American white oak barrels. In line with modern craft distillery standards, it is bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered, and presented at natural colour. It is widely accessible and reasonably priced; in the UK, it retails directly from the distillery and major shops for around £45. In Europe, prices typically range from €40 to €60.
Colour:
Burnished.
Nose:
Neat: The nose opens with a surprisingly rich and robust character for a young Lowland malt. It leads with a sweet, malty profile alongside aromas of vanilla, milk chocolate, and sweet butterscotch. As it sits in the glass, a distinctly fruity profile emerges, bringing forward dried dark fruits, dates, and tropical undertones of pineapple and underripe mango, balanced by a fresh hint of cut grass and oak.
Palate:
Neat: The palate offers a medium, slightly silky body with a surprisingly powerful arrival. The virgin oak finish provides an immediate, peppery bite and a distinct crème brûlée char. This warming spice quickly makes way for a sweet, creamy core of honey, rich butterscotch, sweet almonds, and dark fruits like figs and raisins.
Finish:
The finish is medium to long and satisfyingly complex. It leaves a lingering sweetness of thick orange marmalade and creamy vanilla, expertly balanced by a dry, woody spice, nutmeg, and a final, fresh touch of grassy malt.
Comments:
Well, this Glasgow 1770 The Original immediately gives an excellent first impression, as the nose is really nice, rich and fruity, with some citrusy and tropical undertones I am found of. I spent a good half an hour just nosing this before taking the first sip, as I really enjoyed that beautiful nose. It might feel a bit artificial, like artificial fruit aromas, but it’s really enjoyable nonetheless. The palate is nice, but not as much as the nose. I would have liked the mouthfeel to be a bit thicker, and the virgin oak to be less loud. Or not be at all. It is clearly present, but, fortunately, not enough to ruin that whisky. The nose alone would be a clear 7 out of 10, the palate and palate more like a 5-6 because of the virgin oak. Let’s go for a 6, but if you like woody whiskies, you might give it half a point or a full point more.
Rating: 6/10
Glasgow 1770 Triple Distilled Smooth & Vibrant (2022) Review
Glasgow 1770 Triple Distilled is the third expression in the Signature Range from The Glasgow Distillery Company. This single malt is produced using unpeated concerto malted barley and is distilled three times in traditional copper pot stills, rather than the standard two. It is initially matured in ex-bourbon casks and then blended with a small parcel of spirit matured in virgin American oak. Released as a no-age-statement (NAS) whisky, it is bottled at 46% ABV, without chill filtration, and presented at its natural colour. Like “The Original,” it remains accessible; it retails for £48 to £49 in the UK, generally ranges from €55 to €65 in Europe, and sits around $65 to $70 in the US.
Colour:
Jonquille.
Nose:
Neat: The nose is incredibly fresh, floral, and vibrant. It opens with sweet, confected aromas of candy floss, vanilla sugar, and rich butterscotch. Beneath the initial sweetness lies a bright, fruit-forward profile of crisp green apples, fresh apricot, and dark cherry, balanced by delicate floral notes of honeysuckle, parma violets, and a touch of roasted almond.
Palate:
Neat: Despite its light triple-distilled nature, the palate is creamy, with a beautifully thick texture. It arrives with a rich wave of creamy vanilla cheesecake, caramel sauce, and sweet honey. This sweetness is quickly followed by orchard fruits—ripe pear and red apples—before the virgin oak kicks in, delivering a warming, slightly drying hit of spicy ginger, cinnamon, and toasted cedarwood.
Finish:
The finish is generous, medium-long, and quite clean. The initial sweet honey and vanilla fade to reveal a warming, drying spice from the oak. Lingering notes of clove, a hint of liquorice root, and a final, refreshing touch of zesty citrus gently wrap up the experience.
Comments:
With this Glasgow 1770 Triple Distilled, we have another take at Glasgow, with some similarity to The Original in terms of casks used (though here it’s a marriage between ex-bourbon and virgin oak cask, and not a finish), and it’s quite good as well. The triple distillation provides a light and elegant nose, and a velvety mouthfeel. Orchard fruits and vanilla from the bourbon casks help balance the virgin oak spices and woodiness, and all in all, it works quite well.
Rating: 6/10
Glasgow 1770 2017 Anniversary Release for Bresser & Timmer (2023) Review
The Glasgow Distillery 2017 – 2023 “Anniversary Release” is bottled exclusively for Bresser & Timmer, a prominent Dutch importer. Distilled on July 4, 2017, and bottled on July 18, 2023, the unpeated liquid spent roughly six years maturing. It was initially laid down in a first-fill ex-bourbon cask before undergoing a finishing period in a Cognac cask. It was bottled without chill filtration and at natural colour. Presented at an elevated strength of 52% ABV, this was a highly restricted release—an exclusive for the Netherlands—yielding a total of only 180 bottles. Originally priced around €85 to €90 at specialist Dutch retailers, it sold out quickly due to the very limited outturn.
Colour:
Pale gold.
Nose:
Neat: The nose is mild and fruity, driven by fresh orchard fruits, specifically crisp green apples and ripe pears. This fruitiness is supported by a gentle, tropical undertone of fresh coconut, alongside a delicate, sweet floral vanilla. After some time in the glass, a hint of grape must appears in the background.
With water: The coconut and vanilla aromas become more pronounced, while the Cognac influence lifts slightly, bringing forward a light, grape-like fruitiness and a hint of warm honey.
Palate:
Neat: The palate carries the crisp orchard fruit notes over from the nose. The fresh apple and pear are immediately apparent, quickly followed by a rich wave of creamy vanilla and thick honey. The Cognac cask finish becomes evident mid-palate, introducing a layer of warming baking spices and a subtle, refined grape-skin sweetness that balances the bourbon-driven coconut notes.
With water: Dilution softens the peppery alcohol prickle and makes the texture feel oilier. The spicy Cognac edge recedes slightly, allowing the sweeter honey, vanilla pudding, and ripe pear flavors to coat the tongue more fully, creating a creamier, dessert-like profile, but, unfortunately, reduction also brings out more wood.
Finish:
The finish is medium-long, warming, and nicely spiced. It leaves a lingering sweetness of honeyed fruit and vanilla, followed by a final, refined hit of dry wood spice and mild oak tannin imparted by the Cognac cask.
Comments:
Nice on the nose, this Glasgow loses out a bit on the palate and even more on the finish, as the wood becomes a bit too present, and almost plankish on the finish. I’m not sure if it’s due to the first fill ex-bourbon cask or the cognac cask used for the finish that hadn’t been used much before, letting the wood stay quite active, but I might think it was a seasoned or young cognac cask that was used for the finish. A shame, the nose was nice.
Rating: 5.5/10
Glasgow 1770 Peated (2024) Review
Glasgow 1770 Peated – Rich & Smoky forms one-third of the core “Signature Range” from The Glasgow Distillery Company. Unusually for a Lowland distillery, this no-age-statement (NAS) expression uses Scottish malted barley that has been heavily peated to 50ppm using highland, heather-rich peat. It is double distilled in traditional copper pot stills and undergoes a dual-maturation process: it is initially aged in virgin American white oak casks before being finished for 8 to 12 months in Spanish Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry hogsheads. Bottled at 46% ABV, the whisky is proudly presented without chill-filtration and at its natural, deep bronze colour. Initially sold in 50cl bottles, it was upgraded to a standard 70cl format in late 2023. It remains highly affordable, retailing directly from the distillery for £49 in the UK. In Europe, prices typically range from €50 to €60 depending on the market, while in the US, it generally retails for around $65 to $75.
Colour:
Clay.
Nose:
Neat: The nose offers an immediate, thick wave of sweet, floral heather peat smoke. This aromatic smoke is intertwined with intense, rich toffee, dark forest berries, and dried dark fruits like figs and raisins. There are distinct background notes of vibrant vanilla, flamed orange zest, and a subtle, earthy hint of tobacco leaf.
Palate:
Neat: The palate is full-bodied, slightly oily, and mouth-coating. It arrives with a rich, savory sweetness, delivering dark toffee, cocoa nibs, and sticky dates. The peat smoke is earthy and robust, wrapping around flavors of leather, tobacco leaf, and macadamia nuts. As it develops, a distinct, warming spiciness from the virgin oak kicks in, characterized by black pepper, cinnamon, and a touch of clove.
Finish:
The finish is long, the sweet PX sherry notes of salted caramel and dark fruit fade slowly, leaving a lingering, earthy peat smoke, dry oak spice, and a final touch of black liquorice, slightly salted, and tobacco.
Comments:
I was a bit afraid of the virgin oak and the PX finish, but I guess I was wrong, as the peat balances both types of casks. Everything stays put, not overtaking each other, and this provides a nice equilibrium, without the harsh notes from virgin oak nor the excessive sweetness of PX. Really nice.
Rating: 6.5/10
Glasgow 1770 Cognac Cask Finish (2024) Review
The Glasgow 1770 Cognac Cask Finish (Batch 02) is a 6-year-old limited-edition single malt released in mid-2024 as part of the distillery’s Small Batch Series. Bottled on April 9, 2024, this release is notable because it marks the first time The Glasgow Distillery has officially married its peated and unpeated single malts together, creating a “lightly peated” profile. The vatting comprises exactly five casks: three holding unpeated spirit and two holding peated spirit. The liquid in all five casks was initially matured for a minimum of 3 years in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels before undergoing a lengthy 3-year and 4-month secondary maturation in French Cognac barriques. It was bottled at a robust batch strength of 58% ABV. As with all Glasgow 1770 Small Batch releases, it is non-chill filtered and presented at its natural color. The release was limited to just 2,250 bottles. The official suggested retail price upon release was £59 in the UK, while in Europe it retails for approximately €90 to €93, and around $65 to $80 in the US.
Colour:
Deep gold.
Nose:
Neat: The nose opens with a nicely integrated, gentle wisp of sweet campfire smoke. This light peat sits alongside dessert-like aromas : prominent notes of manuka honey, vanilla ice cream, and honeycomb are layered with elegant, fruity aromas of poached pears, red apples, and a slight floral aroma.
With water: Adding a few drops of water to the 58% ABV spirit subdues the alcohol prickle and softens the smoke further. The rich dessert aromas open up, bringing forward brighter, sweeter notes of baked apple crumble and fresh honeydew melon, while the floral and grape-like characteristics of the Cognac cask become much more apparent.
Palate:
Neat: The palate is powerful, creamy, and not too hot despite the high ABV. It arrives with a rich wave of vanilla and sweet toffee apple, which quickly transitions into a more decadent profile of salted caramel, baked apple crumble, and dark, sticky fruits. The subtle peat influence provides a gentle, savoury, earthy backbone that balances the sweetness of the Cognac finish.
With water: Dilution slightly thins the syrupy viscosity but greatly enhances the fruity and floral flavours. The dark fruit notes give way to brighter flavours of crisp green apple, lemon zest, and juicy melons. The savoury peat smoke remains present but integrates seamlessly with a soft, refined oak spice and creamy vanilla.
Finish:
Neat: The finish is long. The rich, fruity sweetness fades to reveal a pleasant, lingering hint of sweet smoke, light oak spice, and a very subtle, savoury herbal note reminiscent of fresh thyme and pine needles.
Comments:
The peat and the richness from the bourbon casks and the cognac casks used for the finish integrate well together. This Glasgow is lively because of its youth and ABV, but the peat and sweetness help balance out the alcohol heat and the youth, letting us with a tasty and enjoyable dram.
Rating: 6.5/10
Glasgow 1770 Bourbon Cask Matured Batch 1 (2023) Review
The Glasgow 1770 Bourbon Cask Matured (Batch 01) is a new, permanent addition to the distillery’s core range, officially unveiled in late 2025. Boasting an 8-year-old age statement, it showcases the distillery’s older maturing stock. To create a perfectly balanced profile, this specific release is a meticulous 50/50 marriage of Glasgow’s peated and unpeated double-distilled single malts. Batch 01 comprises just six hand-selected casks—three peated and three unpeated—all of which were exclusively matured in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels. Limited to a yield of 1,400 bottles, it is presented at a robust batch strength of 54% ABV, non-chill filtered, and at natural colour. The official retail price in the UK is set at £57 (with some retailers offering discounts down to £45). In European markets, it generally retails around €70, while in the US, it is priced at approximately $73.
Colour:
White wine.
Nose:
Neat: The nose offers a beautiful balance of light and dark elements. It opens with a distinct, coastal, ashy smoke—reminiscent of island malts—intermingled with sweet sea salt and olive oil. As the smoke settles, a vibrant, spirit-forward fruitiness emerges, showcasing notes of crisp green apple, pear, and tropical roasted pineapple. These fruity aromas are wrapped in a thick, rich layer of smoked vanilla ice cream, floral honey, and buttery caramel.
With water: Adding a few drops of water subdues the maritime ash, pushing the sweeter, dessert-like bourbon notes to the forefront, but also some spirity harshness. The vanilla becomes more custard-like, lifting brighter aromas of juicy clementine, sweet peaches, and honeycomb.
Palate:
Neat: The palate is incredibly rich, velvety, initially leading with a salty, and softly spicy punch from the 54% ABV. This heat quickly gives way to a creamy core of vanilla shortbread, toffee apples, and bright tropical citrus fruits. Mid-palate, a surprising and highly fragrant herbal quality develops, offering distinct, slightly bitter notes of cooking herbs like sage and rosemary, seasoned with cracked black pepper.
With water: Dilution mellows the initial alcohol bite and integrates the intense herbal spices wonderfully. The texture remains luxurious, highlighting sweet flavours of vanilla cream and tinned peaches. The savoury salt-and-pepper herbs become softer, balancing beautifully against the rich maltiness and a refined, subtle oak spice.
Finish:
The finish is notably long and warming. The herbal spice and sweet vanilla slowly fade, leaving a lasting, weighty impression of soft, ashy smoke and gentle, drying oak tannins that shadow the palate beautifully.
Comments:
Another nice Glasgow. The sweetness imparted by the first fill bourbon casks is balanced by the peat, with some nice spicy and herbal notes bringing some complexity and showing this whisky aged a bit more than the others reviewed today. Really nice as well.