Glen Scotia 12 Year Old Seasonal Release 70cl Whisky

“Big big fan of Glen Scotia, so picked up a bottle of their Christmas release for 2021. High proof, non-chill filtered and natural colour, surely you can't go wrong? A lovely crisp apple cider in colour, the nose is complex and heady. The high ABV gives it a real kick. This whisky has legs too, a real glass clinger. The first impression is high acidic fruit, apples, strawberry candy laces, pear drops. Undeneath this there's a huge cinder toffee/burnt honeycomb aroma - delightful. Then the Campbeltown signature appears, the saline, seaweed beach smell that's so alluring. The first sip without water is intense. The charred oak the barrels mixes with a rich sherry fruit. There's a tingle of cinnamon and light clove, alongside a buttery bready note. Can see why this is a Christmas whisky. The finish is very long, vanilla, salt, toffee, ginger - it's an absolute winner! Upon the addition of a teaspoon of water, you can visibly see additional oils being released into the glass. The pear drop and saline aroma increases dramatically. Much more fruity in the glass too with the water, red berries appear and the ginger spice appears tingling on your tongue. One that's perfect with,and without the water, it's a totally different experience though and worth trying both ways with every glass. Another storming Glen Scotia!”

Steven Leicester