Introduction I picked up this bottle out of curiosity—I’m generally interested in how beer cask finishes affect single malts. The idea of taking a classic Lowland-style whisky and letting it mature further in a beer-seasoned cask felt appealing, especially since I’ve enjoyed similar experiments in the past. What caught my eye with this Golden Beer Cask edition from Glasgow Distillery was the promise of a rounder malt character, with subtle ale influences layered over their typical production DNA. Nose Pouring it into the glass, I found the nose surprisingly soft but inviting. There’s a good malt base up front—warm barley, oat biscuits, and dry grass give it a cereal-forward start. A light sweetness follows: honeycomb and toffee, though not overly rich. I picked up something faintly herbal as well, like dried hops or chamomile. It’s not a heady aroma, but the restraint gives it some subtlety. There’s a trace of cider vinegar at the edge, slightly sour but not out of place. Palate On the palate, the whisky stays in line with the gentle nose but adopts a bit more texture. It opens with toasted bread crusts and plain granola, leaning confidently into its grain core. There’s a honeyed edge again, perhaps lightly glazed, but not sweet enough to shift the balance. Mid-palate, a subtle bitterness appears—more reminiscent of pale ale than IPA—giving it a crisp lift. It never turns sharp but holds attention through that mild beer finish influence. There’s no peat here, and I didn’t expect any; instead, it relies on malt depth and that beer cask dryness to keep things interesting. Finish The finish is on the short-to-medium side, with a drying quality that stays true to the rest of the dram. Cereal notes return—similar to digestive biscuits—with a fading note of citrus peel and just a touch of white pepper. It doesn’t evolve much after the swallow, but it stays clean and consistent. That dry, hop-kissed farewell gives it a slightly unusual rhythm, but one that I found quite pleasant and food-friendly. Price and Value In terms of value, this release feels fairly balanced. It’s priced somewhere between entry-level and small-batch limited editions, which fits with its modest ambition and relatively niche finish. While it doesn’t aim for complexity or richness, I think the whisky is reasonably priced for what it offers—an easy-drinking dram with a twist that encourages attention without demanding it. Background This bottle comes from Glasgow Distillery, one of the first single malt distilleries to open in Glasgow in over a century. Their core range includes the 1770 series, named for the original date of distillation in the city. The Golden Beer Cask release is part of an experimental approach, where ex-ale barrels are used to finish whisky initially matured in traditional casks. In this case, the beer casks had previously aged golden ale, adding an extra layer of dryness and slight bitterness to the final spirit. Final Notes Would I buy this again? I probably would, especially to share with friends who are into both whisky and beer. It’s not a showstopper bottle, but it fills a unique niche. If you’re new to whisky, is this a good place to start? Actually, yes—it’s approachable, smooth, and not overloaded with cask influence. I also think it works well as a casual evening sipper, especially with savoury snacks or even alongside a chilled ale. Compared to other Lowland-style whiskies, this one brings a fresher, slightly quirky twist without straying too far from its malt-driven roots.