Glen Scotia Double Cask

I usually drink smokey and peated Islay malts but fancied a change, my local whisky shop recommended this. First taste seemed a bit insipid if I’m honest, but the aftertaste was pleasant. It’s very easy to drink and reveals a great saltiness with each sip. Quite impressed for the price, a good whisky for when the smoke and peat gets a bit much!

27th October 2019

strong salty start, round strong honey body, extremely pleasant experience.

27th September 2019

The first Campbeltown I've ever had, received as a gift. It did not disappoint. Hard to describe but it has the maritime tang of a good Talisker with the vague flavour of a good bourbon. Different, and worth a go.

17th April 2019

Not had a Campbeltown before. I wasn't impressed at alle after the first couple of measures. And then it started to make sense. It is a wonderfully rounded un-peated malt. Rich and mellow with an, at first, confusing saltiness. For the price, I reckon it's a steal. Will definitely be buying more of this one.

25th February 2019

Sweet and salty in the start, extremely herbaceous in the finish. It's okay, but doesn't suit my palate... I probably won't be touching it again.

28th June 2018

Not chill filtered, at 46% ABV just above the threshold for chill filtering, so nicely oily, but given the rake and plough mashing surprisingly not too malolactic in nature. The long fermentation renders rich estery flavours.
Nose is very well balanced and yet contradictory in nature with spicey sweetness and some smokiness possibly from heavily charred American White Oak casks probably first fill. PX cask is utilised nicely balancing the other flavours and enriching the whisky. As one would expect, some maritime influence evident, more so on the palate. The distillery character has not been overpowers by the dominant porous PX cask with low Tyloses content, suggesting the finishing has been closely monitored.
My preference is always the heavily peated Kildaltons, especially Ardbeg expressions, but this is one of my favourite whiskies. Excellent balance and blend of distillery new make cleric influence and cask influence from both the American White Oak and the PX cask with its intensity of sweetness, syrupy and Xmas cake, but not sickly so, as too many of the Sherry finish whiskies can be and are. Delightful.

17th June 2018

It's almost impossible to find anything from this distillery here in Northern California. I tried the Victoriana in Scotland about a year ago and was super impressed so I have been keeping my eyes peeled for all their expressions. Found a couple bottles of this at Bevmo of all places so I grabbed all that I could and I am so happy I did. This is an awesome whisky like everything from Campbeltown loaded with character. There's some sherry fruit with oak char, leather, a hint of peat, some vanilla, and that classic Campbeltown brine. Rich and yet light bodied at the same time with a finish that just gets saltier and saltier. Reminds me of a less sweet Benromach 10 actually. I love it. Cheers! The Sugarbear

27th April 2018

I managed to pick this up for £25.60 at a local supermarket. I thought at that price I’ll give it a go and go against my better judgement. It’s ok, just really overly salty and to me a little too fudgey. I don’t think I’ll buy it again. 3/5. It’s be 2.5 if I’d paid retail.

19th April 2018

Delicious. Very smooth on the tongue. Wonderful warmth. Beautiful colour. Really nice drinking.

12th April 2018

I am no expert, but really enjoyed this. Amazingly rich and complex for the money. First Cambletown whisky, will be getting more!

17th February 2018

A wonderful warm, rich explosion of flavour. Better than many single malts I have costing many times as much.

16th January 2018

What a classic malt! This is the first time I've had this whisky and I must say it's one of the best and it most certainly will not be the last!

15th January 2018

Smooth fine single malt whisky don't need ice or water just self control not finish bottle off as once you open and try you won't want to put down

2nd January 2018

Nose: one of a kind peat, cream, butter, fudge, touch of sherry, fruity. Taste: Smooth, creamy, butterscotch, fruit touch of sherry, very sweet. Long finish, mellow, sweet with peat. If you're creating a whisky shelf of varied flavors, then you need this one. It has personality, it's not like most malts.

13th November 2017

Concur with the notes by the MoM a love, but there is gentle smoke in the background suggesting a highly charred American white oak cask, otherwise the notes are pretty much what I detected.
One of the best malts I have tasted and not just for the money.

13th November 2017

Coatline and legs - slow run, oily, syrupy.
Nose - dried fruit, temperate fruits,spices, clove, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, smokey. These flavours take a long time to evolve. Vanilla and caramel, some coconut in the background. Lightly peated.
Palate - very similar to he nose, medium to full bodied on the tongue.
Finish - seems short not long lasting . Sweet, fruit, slightly smokey.
Balance - very balanced and a very good price.

14th September 2017

This review is for a great whisky at a great price point for the quality. An amazing discovery which really captures the nature of the region. The nose jumps out of the glass with a great combination of fruit and candy. The salt is there on the palate, but not overpowering with a hint of the oak peeking through. As you drink it the nose opens up a bit more with the candy drawing through to toffee, and the sweetness slowly develops in the mouth to replace the brinyness.

This is a great after dinner whisky, or a dram for the late evening.

11th July 2017

This is a great, spirit driven whisky given it's age of just 5 years. With some water it turns really sweet, a true summer dram. Recommended.

17th June 2017

Possibly overpriced for a malt with no stated age in my view, although there are plenty of others (unaged) in the same category. And for me the extra alcoholic strength is a minus point. No need for it and it adds, for me, unwanted fire. Also 'Gold for best Cambeltown' is a bit of obvious BS as there are only three distileries remaining, so one wonders how much of a significant accolade this really is? I do, as a fan of 12 and 15 year old's wonder what age this whisky has? No great is my suspicion.

11th April 2017

Amazing. Thick Dundee cake aroma, with marzipan overtones. A glorious sherry vanilla taste, with hints of salt and smoke. Long, satisfying spice in the finish. And glorious value for money.

30th March 2017

My first Glen Scotia since the 14 yr old Dumpy Green bottle of the 1990's which I liked very much. This double cask is excellent and had little hint of it being NAS probably due to the balance at 46% alcohol. The oily, briny flavor is there as in the 14 yr old but much better with the fruity nature of it. The after taste is sort of like an ice cream bar with sea salt. Great for after dinner. I rate it in the high 80's and an A for its price point. Buy it!

19th February 2017

Great smell and taste! Almost like marmalade

31st January 2017

I have friends who are not big on whisky but GS changes their mind and opinions.

I think it is an exceptional whisky and wholeheartedly endorse it

20th January 2017

A sweet finish on this strong and spicy whiskey, nice straight or with a tiny spot of water , heartburn inducing for those who prefer smoother blended whiskey

11th December 2016

A real surprise.
Wonderful dram for a double cask finish as opposed to a full maturation

30th October 2016

An excellent whisky full of flavour and character. hints of sweetness on the tongue at first taste with a warm maritime sensation afterwards. Surprised with the price as I would have expected to pay more for this.

22nd September 2016

Many Scotchs claim to have a "Maritime " character. The briny flavor of this reminds me of the sea breeze at the beach I take my daily walk on - like it was aged in a cask stored in the hold of an old sailing ship. And the 46% ABV gives you an extra bang for your buck. I wouldn't marry this one, but I wouldn't kick her out of bed, either!

3rd August 2016

a whisky full of taste, round and compleet

1st June 2016

Enjoyed this from the moment I sniffed the cork! It's very smooth, despite the 46%, and it does what it says on the box - "rich and spicy". On the nose, there's vanilla, fudge, heather honey and yes, it is a sweet whisky, but well balanced with the spiciness and a little salty brine. One of the best drams I've tasted for a while.

2nd May 2016

I received an advent calendar for Christmas, and rather than try one per day, I bundled several in to small batch taste testings over several weeks. The Glen Scotia Double Cask advanced all the way to the finals of my scotch head to head "tournament".

This scotch presents a remarkable blend of velvety, warm glow with a pleasantly bitter burn. Definitely one of my favorites. I ordered a bottle and will have difficulty making it last!

16th January 2016

I too am enjoying my advent calendar. Day 7 is hands down the best yet, I was quite surprised to see the price... I'll be picking up a bottle.

Nose: Toffee, fruity
Taste: semi sweet, orange, vanilla, coffee, chocolate , moderate body
Finish: very pleasant, long, like the slight persistence of chocolate bitterness at the back of the tongue

I agree with the previous reviewer and say I also quite enjoyed Glenfarclas 25y

14th December 2015

Comments from Dec 7, 8, and 9? You must all have the same advent calendar I do. ;-)

Along with the Glenfarclas 25, the Glen Scotia is the standout so far for me, and a much better price point. I also noticed the viscosity, and was reminded of the stellar viscosity of the original True Blue (no longer available) from Balcones. I really do miss that one.

10th December 2015

Off the top great colour.

Starts with some great fruit on the nose and the sherry peaks out with a touch of sweetness. I like a more muted sweetness, which lets the peaches, toffee, and apple come out. After a while the nose opens up more, a touch of smoke or charr that teases, but is not overwhelming. The smoke disappears upon taking a quaff and didn't really return.

On the palate it is wonderfully spicy, a nice warmth from the alcohol. A little syrup and the hint of a moment by the quay.

Left me with some nice saltiness, without a cloying sweetness, but a touch of lingering bitterness that helps wash the palate.

All around a great dram that I will buy a bottle of!



Final Note: I am doing the 2015 advent calendar. As a result, I get one drink at it to decide if I like it enough to buy more. Sometimes I need to drink something three or four times to make up my mind. Thus, my rating is based on a one-time drink experience.

10th December 2015

Color is a pleasant light caramel, very clear and attractive in the glass.

The nose was very pleasant with just the right touch of smoke and a distinct cocoa undertone.
The overall taste was quite sweet but with enough bite to let me remember what I was drinking. To me this presented like the classic scotch.

The finish kept the sweetness going giving way to pears and apples.

Very nice overall if not in your face incredible...85 out of 100

8th December 2015

Light caramel colored, with a vanilla and maple syrup aroma. Light burn, balanced flavors and an excellent viscous mouthfeel on the mouth first sip. Smooth finish with a hint of smoke in the nose. Gingerbread and orange notes on the back end of the finish. A not overly sweet whiskey which I highly recommend and is an excellent bargain!

8th December 2015

I'm no whiskey aficionado, but for once, I taste all the things listed in the description. It's lovely and unique! Got quite the burn on the way down, though. Love it.

7th December 2015