Description
A 30 year old Glenugie whisky. Bottled by Chivas Brothers as part of their Deoch an Doras series. This Glenugie was distilled in 1980 before being bottled in 2011. Only the 2nd official bottling of whisky from this silent distillery.
The Glenugie Distillery was established in 1831 by Donald McLeod & Co Ltd and was originally called Invernettie. In 1884, Simon Forbes purchased the distillery and enjoyed some success with it. He operated it until 1915. The distillery was silent for most of World War I, but opened for a short time in 1923-1924 as the Glenugie Distillery Ltd, but again remained silent from 1925 to 1937. Seager Evans & Co Ltd then re-opened it in 1937.
Scheney International acquired Seager Evans & Co Ltd in 1956 and decided to improve the equipment and used an oil system to replace the coal-fired boiler, as well as introducing a pair of new stills with condensers. This led to production doubling, but the resultant strain on the workshop lead to the ending of site malting and also to the convertion of the malt house to warehouse space.
In 1975, Glenugie distillery was sold to Whitbread & Co a company later sold to Allied Domecq. Glenugie was one of a number of distilleries that failed to continue past the 1983 market. This was because there was too much competition at the time.
The distillery was demolished in 1985 and the site now has workshops on this site.
A specific feature of Glenugie was the use of local water from the nearby Ugie River, which contributed to the distinctive flavour profile of the whiskies. Glenugie whiskies were known for their rich and complex flavours, with notes of fruit, honey and spice. The distillery used mainly ex-bourbon casks for maturation, which ensured a balanced and deep flavour.
Colour: amber.
Nose:
(Neat): A combination of oak spices with toasted brioche, bark and walnut. Some beeswax too, a little wood smoke, a touch of mocha and a little damp earth. Some rubbed mint leaves as well, and perhaps a drop of pinesap. With water: mandarins come out, together with some sweet ham. Ribs cooked in a honey sauce.
Taste:
(Neat): Grapefruit compote, spicy mango chutney, touches of passion fruit. There is oak and there’s quite a lot of pepper. With water: very good, jammy and citrusy. Some thick citrus liqueur with peppermint and pepper.
Finish:
Long, rich, jammy and citrusy. Spiced citrons.
