Portsoy is Glenglassaugh’s storm-born expression, shaped by the rugged harbor town just along the coast from the distillery. It captures the feel of standing on the pier during a cold, windy evening: waves slamming against stone, sea spray in the air, and the scent of peat drifting like smoke from a distant bonfire. Opening this bottle feels like tapping into the wilder side of the northern coast.

Glenglassaugh Portsoy
Brand: Glenglassaugh | Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky | ABV: 49.1% | Origin: Highlands (Coastal), Scotland | Vol: 700ml

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Dark chocolate, roasted malt, gentle peat smoke, dried fruit, and sea spray, like walking past a seaside bakery on a cold night.
Palate: Rich, bold, and slightly smoky. Notes of treacle, cocoa, burnt sugar, malt loaf, espresso, brine, and smoldering driftwood swirl together with coastal depth. The peat is earthy rather than aggressive, giving weight without masking the sweetness.
Finish: Long, smoky, and warming with lingering chocolate, salted caramel, and a maritime echo that fades slowly.

Production Details:
Portsoy is matured in a mix of sherry, bourbon, and port casks, each adding layers of sweetness, spice, and darkness. A carefully measured touch of peat rounds out the profile, giving the whisky a smoky, coastal backbone. Aging in Glenglassaugh’s seaside warehouses brings a natural brininess that merges beautifully with the rich cask influence.

Perfect For:
Late-night pours, cold-weather evenings, or anyone who loves dark, chocolatey Highland malts with a subtle smoky kick. Ideal for fans of coastal whisky who want depth without the intensity of full Islay peat.

Expert Notes:
Critics praise Portsoy for its balance between richness and smoke, a darker, moodier take on the Glenglassaugh style. It stands apart in the lineup as the most robust and bold expression, loved for its chocolate-and-coast profile.

Customer Reviews:
“Rich, smoky, and deliciously dark. Perfect nightcap.”
“Love the chocolate and coastal combo, unique and satisfying.”
“Smooth smoke, deep flavor. A great modern Highland malt.”

Interesting Fact:
Portsoy is named after the nearby harbor town famous for its black, granite-like stone, a nod to the whisky’s deeper, darker personality.

Serving Suggestions:
Neat for full smoky richness. A splash of water lifts more chocolate, malt, and dried fruit. Over a large ice sphere, it becomes smoother with a silky, dessert-like sweetness.

Distillery Background:
Glenglassaugh, revived after decades of silence, is known for producing vibrant coastal malts shaped by their location on Sandend Bay. The distillery embraces a modern style built on bright fruit, maritime influence, and experimental cask craft. Portsoy represents the darker side of that identity, richer, smokier, and anchored in the dramatic landscape of the northern coast.