The place
A Coastal Distillery
In the wild and wonderful northeast coast of Scotland there’s a place where soft rolling surf sweeps across a scattering of ancient harbour towns and villages, flocks of birds float on the ocean breeze, and spirits are awakened by the joy of life at a gentler pace.
Scenes from Sandend Bay
Throughout the seasons, the shores of Sandend Bay invigorate the senses. It’s a place to reconnect with nature. Where rolling waves lap the broad beach’s soft sand and crash against the rocky Serpentine headland. Walkers wander the beach and surfers take to the seas, all while seals sleep, gannets dive and dolphins play.
The Local Landscape
Midway along the coastal road between Sandend and Portsoy stands Glenglassaugh Distillery. Past fields and forests that follow the rolling hills in one direction and fall away to the sea in the other, both villages were born of a different time – where living off the land and sea were the way of life. Today they’re a romantic reminder of why people fall in love with this place.
THE DISTILLERY
Since the first stones were laid in 1875, the distillery has seen as
many changes over the years as seasons.
From the beach, traditional stone buildings sit tightly together next to the newer, angular glass-panelled stillshouse. Sheltering behind these protective walls are the original dunnage warehouses, filled with the spirit of the place.
OUR HISTORY
THE FOUNDATIONS ARE LAID
In 1875, on the banks of the Glassaugh burn, the renowned local entrepreneur Colonel James Moir laid the foundations for what is the Glenglassaugh distillery today.
1875
THE TIDE TURNS
After quickly establishing a reputation for producing quality whisky, the storm clouds started gathering following the death of Moir. The distillery’s ownership changed hands multiple times in 1892 and then a downturn in the whisky industry forced it to close in 1907.
1892
A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
While some of the buildings were used during the Second World War, Glenglassaugh lay silent until Highland Distilleries took over in 1959. It constructed a new production building housing the mashing, fermentation and distillation equipment with the aim of producing a malt suitable for blending. This lasted until 1986 when production stopped, and only the warehouses onsite were left to quietly keep the spirit alive.
1959
A NEW DAWN
The landscape changed again in 2008, as this captivating place inspired a group of investors to form the Glenglassaugh Distillery Company Limited and the rebirth of this coastal whisky began. After refurbishing and reinstating equipment, the first new spirit ran from the stills in December of that year.
2008
In 2016, the green shoots of growth seen in the preceding years meant Brown-Forman acquired the brand and set about continuing the legacy of this award-winning coastal single malt.
2016
A SPIRIT REAWAKENED
In 2023, the Glenglassaugh spirit was finally reawakened with the launch of three new expressions; the 12 Year Old, Sandend, and Portsoy.
2023
DISCOVER THE DISTILLERY
A select number of private and exclusive pre-booked tours are available at the distillery. See for yourself how we harness the elemental forces of our coastal whisky with a tour of
where we call home.
Immerse yourself in the beautiful coastal location of Sandend and reawaken your senses with this Glenglassaugh Experience. Your journey begins in our exclusive Craigmills Cottage before walking the short distance to Sandend Bay, where you will discover how Glenglassaugh is truly shaped by the land and the sea. On returning from the beach, you will take a step back in time as you explore our distillery and dunnage warehouse. Returning to our tasting room to sample Glenglassaugh’s exquisite Coastal Single Malts.
Please allow 2.5 hours to fully experience all that Glenglassaugh has to offer.
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