Origin: Campbeltown (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon First Fill and ex Sherry
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: Yes
Owner: Loch Lomond Group
Average price: € 51.00
Official website: www.glenscotia.com
Vote: 82/100
Until now we have always dealt with independent bottlings from this distillery, and finally we try a bottle directly from Glen Scotia’s core range.
A portfolio of whiskies that is, all things considered, quite rich, made up of eight bottles (of which only three are NAS, which is to be applauded), for a distillery whose volumes are not impressive: 600,000 litres per year and with a very small staff, in which there are (or at least, as far as we know at the time) nine employees in all, five of whom are employed in distillation.
The current master distiller, Iain McAlister, has been with the distillery for twelve years, and maintains the tradition of small-batch production, with barley sourced exclusively from the east of Scotland.
Recently, Glen Scotia was among the distilleries joined by the Three Drinkers in the second season of a popular Amazon Prime series.
For the record, Double Cask would be McAlister’s favourite bottling.
Tasting Notes
In the glass, the whisky is a proudly mock-gold colour with auburn highlights.
The final ageing (for an unknown length of time) in ex-Pedro Ximénez casks has definitely left its mark: the nose is a triumph of sultanas and marzipan together with mango, pineapple and yellow fruit, floral hints and a light biscuit note in the background. Very soft and caressing.
The palate turns to more muscular notes, albeit within the spectrum of sweetness, with the alcohol that warms the spirits and introduces a roar of cinnamon and dried apricot, with candied orange, caramel and a spread of salted butter, together with a background of biscuity woodiness. Intense and decisive.
The finish is long, of wood, salted butter and cinnamon.
Glen Scotia’s personality doesn’t give up even in the face of Pedro, perhaps paying a little for its youth but remaining an original and interesting drink.
Other perspectives:
Great Drams