Small Batch Series Focus: Glasgow 1770 Constantia Wine Cask

Glasgow 1770 Constantia Wine Cask Batch 01, Unpeated 56.6% ABV

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.

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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 Austin 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 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Constantia Wine Cask, is the first time we have 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 our signature double distilled unpeated whisky 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. 

Bottled at 56.6% ABV with 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.

Distillery Team Tasting Notes

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

The 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.

The 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.

Release Fact File
Cask Numbers: 20/1399 + 20/1400 + 20/1401
Spirit: Unpeated double distilled
Batch number: 01
Initial Cask: First fill ex-bourbon barrel
Initial Cask Fill Date: 17th of February 2020
Initial Maturation Period: 3 years and 2 months
Secondary Cask: South African Constantia dessert wine barrique
Secondary Cask Fill Date: 17th of April 2023
Secondary Maturation Period: 1 year and 10 months
Bottling Date: 5th of March 2025
Bottling Strength: 56.6% ABV
Outturn: 980 bottles (700ml)
Availability: UK + Export
RRP: £59