Glasgow 1770 Constantia Wine Cask Finish 56.6% Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl

A limited-edition release as part of The Glasgow Distillery’s Small Batch Series; their ongoing set of bottlings that demonstrate the versatility of whisky made at this contemporary urban distillery. The Small Batch Series showcases their three whisky making styles across peated, unpeated, and triple distilled single malts with a wide range of new and exciting cask maturations.

The Glasgow 1770 Constantia Wine Cask Matured release is a five year old bottling, the contents of three finishing casks that have been married together. Initially matured in first fill ex-bourbon barrels these have enjoyed a long finish in Constantia South African dessert wine casks.

Bottled at 56.6% ABV with only 980 bottles available, this release is a lovely marriage of the distillery fresh and fruity unpeated style with soft vanilla and creamy notes coming from the initial bourbon maturation, before delicate notes of fresh apricot, peach, pink grapefruit, clementine, manuka honey and dark chocolate are contributed by the Constantia influence. 

Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Constantia Wine Cask, is the first time The Glasgow Distillery has used this type of cask for maturation. Casks No. 20/1399, 20/1400, and 20/1401 were filled on the 17th of February 2020 with the distillery’s signature double distilled unpeated spirit style before the contents were transferred into the South African Constantia wine casks for a finishing period of one year and ten months before bottling on the 5th of March 2025. 

70cl

ABV 56.6%

Net weight: 1.6kg

Tasting Notes

Nose: Notes of fresh apricot, ripe peach, juicy clementine and rich vanilla lead to lightly floral notes of jasmine and honeysuckle.

Palate: The palate is a juicy explosion of fresh fruit balanced against floral and rich manuka honey. Notes of sweet pink grapefruit and ripe peach meet apricot compote and vanilla ice cream with a sweet almond nuttiness.

Finish: The finish is long and fruity with lasting notes of light honeyed sweetness, a touch of fresh ginger and hints of 80% cacao dark chocolate.

About Constantia

Constantia is a South African dessert wine produced predominantly from white Muscat d’Frontignan (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains), a grape that is known for its small berry size and tight clusters. These grapes are cultivated in the Constantia region which lies about 15 kilometres south of Cape Town and is one of the most historic wine making regions in the southern hemisphere with wine-making dating back to 1685. However, production was ceased in the 1860s due to mildew and phylloxera and only began again in the 1980s.

The heavy clay content within the soil, the south-easterly sea breeze, and the high mountain slopes in the region create a cool climate and encourage vines to retain their acidity, making it an ideal terroir for the Muscat grapes.

Constantia has been a favourite of many notable individuals, including Jane Austen who famously recommended Constantia for its healing powers on a disappointed heart in Sense and Sensibility, and Napolean Bonaparte who requested a glass on his deathbed.

To produce the Constantia that was matured within the casks used for this Glasgow 1770 release, the winery has harvested white Muscat grapes and a small percentage of red Muscat. These are fermented for one week with the skins of the grapes intact, before pressing and maturing within oak casks for 24 months to produce a sweet wine that has a balanced acidity and sweetness, with notes of toffee, apricot, and Turkish delight.

Glasgow Distillery

Glasgow Distillery is a freestanding, independently owned distillery that was started by two friends in 2012 with a mission to bring premium spirits distillation back to Scotland’s biggest city.

They are Glasgow’s distillery. Always aspiring to do better, they punch above their weight and aim to push the boundaries.

With just a small team of 16 spirit lovers, they create a portfolio of flavoured-packed spirits across whisky, gin, vodka, and rum. These character-rich products are each inspired by a story rooted in the city’s heritage and history.