12 year old single malt from the Glen Scotia Distillery in Campbeltown, which was initially allowed to rest in a combination of first-fill bourbon and American oak casks for 11 years. Following that, it was finished for 12 months in a combination of first-fill Oloroso sherry hogsheads and heavily charred American oak barrels. A combo of combos, you might say. It has been bottled up at cask strength, and presented as part of the Seasonal Release series.
Pear, red apple, layers of toffee, and a hint of sea shell salinity.
Toasted sugar and brown butter, with hints of orange oil and dried fruit.
Lasting spiciness of ginger, cinnamon, and oak.
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For the first time, I was genuinely sad that a whisky bottle was finished. I enjoyed every sip I took, and will definitely recommend it to my loved ones.
My first disappointment from Glen Scotia and my first time I've felt I should post a review here for a whisky. Splashed out on this as a present for my other half Christmas 2021. Opened the bottle in March 2022. The nose is primarily one of spirit masking the usual pleasant Campbeltown dunnage tones. A vague sweetness coming through. At bottle strength, there was a nice oily mouth feel, similar to the likes of Loch Lomond 12, something I usually enjoy in a whisky. This malt is spirity, almost young tasting which is surprising for a 12 year old single malt, but with very little else happening in the taste department aside from that passing sweetness with very little depth. After adding a little water to tame the obvious ABV of the malt, the finish is truly one of the most disappointing I've had of any whisky, let alone one that cost me over £70. The whisky disappears so quickly you're almost left wondering if there had been anything there in your mouth in the first place. Other half completely agreed, a very disappointing finish. It is quite telling that in this day and age when the demand for Campbeltown malts is seemingly outstripping the supply that there are still plenty of bottles of this 'limited edition' on the shelves (online and in-store) of many, many suppliers. I would happily recommend Glen Scotia 15 and Victoriana at lesser cost than this malt, or even Glen Scotia Double Cask at half the price. A sad disappointment from one of my favourite distilleries and regions.
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!
