Skip to main content

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.

Yellow gorse flowers closer to the camera and the waves crashing in the background onto the shore.
A panoramic picture of the distillery and buildings surrounding it.

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
A green mossy and grassy walkway in nature.

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
A brick building and a rainbow in the background.

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
Closer view of the copper casks in the distillery.

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 for our coastal whisky with a tour of where we call home. Surround yourself in our landscape, the rolling farmland of Portsoy, and the North Sea views of Sandend that play an intrinsic part of creating Glenglassaugh Single Malt.

Walk through the footprint of the original distillery built by James Moir.
Gaze up at the two perfectly polished copper stills and get up close to the casks quietly sleeping in our dunnage warehouses.

Please allow 2.5 hours to fully experience all that Glenglassaugh has to offer.

To book this £120.00 experience please click below.

Book Now

Stay up to date with email updates

Subscribe
Glenglassaugh

Please verify your age

Birthdate*

This site uses cookies. Cookie Policy. I agree to the terms of use, and the privacy policy. This information will not be used for marketing purposes.