Glen Scotia 11 Year Old - Campbeltown Malts Festival 2023 Whisky

Lovely pale hay hue in the glass, on first nosing you get a huge nasal clearing citrus and menthol - think lemon Lockets. Underneath this, there is a faint hint of medicinal hospital smoke mixed with that quinticential Campbeltown sea spray aroma. The white wine influence from the white port casks is also present along with a little buttery creaminess, highland toffee and cream sponge.
The arrival is mammoth, as you would expect from the high ABV. Your mouth instantly salivates and tingles, sherbet powder, treacle toffee - not over spicy but more of that creamy, sharp fruit mixed with that deep treacle and brown sugar sensation, delightful.
The finish is long and warming, touch of oak from the casks, leather and a real sense of tobacco and coffee cake.
Adding a drop of water tones down the sherbet attack, and brings out the fudgy creaminess of this malt.
An absolute delight, complex yet satisfying, a new flavour in every sip. Not quite as amazing as the 2020 Tawny Port release but pretty damn close.

Warm and sweet beginning with a syrup like feel. Quick to add heat via smoke and bitterness. A complexity of fruits (I get apples) and bitter oaky / woody tones which seem to battle for attention.
A smokey salty finish and a wave of dried fruits and bitter orange peel.

I really enjoy everything Glen Scotia and this continues to impress and challenge me. Highly recommend!!