Many people envison a classic Scotch distillery to be located in a picturesque valley at the foot of a towering mountain in the Highlands. And yes, when you travel Scotland you will indeed find several such units here and there. But you will also find many others – like those that follow an urban, cosmopolitan approach. In the big cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, for example, quite a few upstart distilleries have sprung up in the last years. One of ’em is Glasgow Distillery, which is present in the market with the 1770 Whisky brand. Thanks to the quality of their regular expressions, which come in custom-made 0.5 liter luxury bottles, they have already gained an excellent reputation. Now, they set forth to build upon that with their first-ever single cask release, which is exclusively available from their German distributor Kirsch Import. The latter company has already allocated the 708 bottles to specialist shops and mailorders across the country. A few bottles, however, they have put aside and sent to bloggers – me included. I am super-thankful for that, because this historic 1770 Whisky release is a total highlight in my book! Drawn from a feisty sherry butt that was originally filled in 2015, the whisky is big and bold and bursting with flavors (especially dried fruits, spices and tannins as well as chocolate). Although this vigorous 62-percenter is not exactly a smooth and easy-going sip, I find myself returning to it almost every evening. It is just so special and such a crazy lot of fun!

by Tobi

Eye: Rich brown with a bit of bronze.
Nose: There’s no prisoners being taken here, so much is sure. The first single cask bottling by 1770 Whisky has a hot and piercing nose. Initially, powdered spices (nutmeg, clove, paprika) clash with dried fruits (plum, cherry, rosehip). Then appears a strong gingerbread note that becomes lighter and warmer with time. After a while in the glass, the dried fruits from before also turn more juicy and marmalade-like. Everything becomes brighter; but the heaviness and the forcefulness, which characterized the whisky’s bouquet right from the start, remain. And the wild ride is not over yet: stepwise woody, zesty and especially chocolatey aromas chime in, too. Hell, there is a ton going on in this young, urban malt!
Palate: Choccies! Tannins! Berries! Raisins! Spices! Chestnuts! Cocoa! Leather! – The whisky is as big on the palate as it is in the nostrils. It takes an unexpected turn here and a surprising bend there. And it has a bold, unique character that I find immensely enjoyable. Sure, the spirit’s youth is quite apparent at this and any other stage of the degustation. But it has every right to do so. After all, we are talking about a vintage 2015 here. And quite frankly: I absolutely love the fact that this youth- and colorful drop is as vivid and electrifying yet unpretentious as the city in which it was made!
Finish: As long as a night-out in The Pot Still. This superb offering from 1770 Whisky ends on lasting notes of cocoa powder, caramel pudding and roasted nuts as well as toasted raisin bread with hot, runny butter. Also, there is a potpourri of clove, cinnamon and other winterly spices. And some raspberry-infused mint gums.

Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Region: Scotland (Lowlands)
Age: Vintage 2015 (4-5 years old)
Alc. volume: 62.1 per cent
Bottle size: 0.5 litres
Price range: ~75.00 Euro
Limitation: 708 bottles
More info: https://www.glasgowdistillery.com/ (Distillery) ; https://kirschwhisky.de/ (Distributor)

*** Whisky bottle kindly provided by Kirsch Import. ***