An Aberdeenshire distillery yesterday released eight malts produced from the second batch of a rare cask series, with the priciest retailing at more than £750.
The casks were plucked from the dark recesses of Glenglassaugh Distillery’s warehouses near Portsoy by master distiller Billy Walker.
The oldest was distilled in 1972 and was finished in a Massandra Madeira Puncheon. The bottles produced from this cask will be on shelves at £764.99.
The youngest was distilled in 1978 with a Port Hogshead finish. Bottles from this cask are priced at £439.99.
All casks were bottled in September this year.
BenRiach Distillery Company, which bought Glenglassaugh in 2013, said the first batch was well received when it was released in April 2014 and that it expects the next instalment to do well.
Alistair Walker, sales director of Edinburgh based BenRiach, said: “The response on this first batch release was fantastic, with connoisseurs worldwide delighted to get their hands on these aged, extraordinary malts.
“We are therefore delighted to issue Batch 2 today, which comprises another eight magnificent expressions – smooth, warm, characterful and sublime Highland whisky at its finest.”
It comes two weeks after Glenglassaugh was granted permission for a £4million expansion despite concerns that the six new warehouses would overshadow a nearby cottage.
Bosses said the development would safeguard the 11 permanent jobs and create four more positions.