Glen Scotia
Glen Scotia was founded in 1832 and is now 1 of only 3 distilleries to be found in the once “ whisky capital of the world “
The once thriving region is now a shadow of its former self having once boasted at least 30 working distilleries. The whisky being produced in the area though is rather good and along with Springbank and the lesser known of the three distilleries Glengyle, the whisky is now helping put the Campbeltown name back on the map..
Glen Scotia has the capacity to produce 800,000 litres of alcohol per year with both unpeated and peated whisky produced.. The peated whisky is produced as a medium peated spirit at around the 20ppm mark whilst the more heavily spirit boasts a ppm of around 55..
The distillery also boasts an impressive core range which includes the very impressive entry level Double cask as well as the 15 year old, the 18 year old, the mighty 25 year old and a cask strength expression named Victoriana..
This whisky however is an ongoing release for the Campbeltown Malts Festival which is held once a year and as all festivals offers up an extra opportunity to release an exclusive bottling. This years release is initially matured in first fill bourbon barrels before receiving a 5 month finish in Red wine casks..
20201 Campbeltown Festival Bottling – Glen Scotia
Distillery.. Glen Scotia
Region.. Campbeltown
Age.. 10 years
Abv.. 56.1%
Casks.. First Fill Bourbon – Bordeaux Red Wine cask
Nose.. This has an abundance of summer fruits and winter berries just bursting out, blackcurrent jam and orange marmalade on toast, apple pie with cinnamon ( you know the ones i mean ) There is also a lovely peach note laying deep down and chocolate, loads of chocolate.. Vanilla notes give a little extra sweetness while citrus peels offer some nice balance.
Palate.. An onslaught of flavours attack the palate all at once with those sweet summer fruits dominating at first but its not long before citrus peels and dark chocolate balance it out with a little bitterness.. Espresso coffee with a slice of fruit cake slowly takes this in another direction with a touch of Manuka honey earthiness, oak tannings and a little ginger kick to finish.
Finish.. Spice and sweetness battle to the bitter end
Thoughts.. There has been plenty of focus on this release and although i held of buying a bottle i couldn’t resist for too long.. A good friend sent through a sample and the inevitable happened, yep a bottle ended up in the basket and that auto buy button was pressed..
So is it any good? damn right it is !!!
If you fancy some then Master Of Malt have some HERE..
Also Royal Mile Whiskies have some HERE..
ocdwhisky.com 