Glen Scotia 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Recently awarded a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, this once-off direct import is running at a freak discount.

One of just three distilleries currently operating in Campbeltown, Glen Scotia has been in the shadow of its more famous neighbour, Springbank for almost two hundred years. The stills here are short and fermentations vary allowing for nutty through to more fruity aromas and flavours. Combined with a range of peating levels, heavy investment in quality barrels and a private equity firm taking ownership since 2014, Glen Scotia are re-asserting themselves as a multi-faceted Campeltowner.

The second oldest of five core bottlings launched in 2012, this expression was initially matured in American oak and later vatted together for a twelve month finishing in first fill Oloroso casks. The sherry brings perfume and floral notes which complement the distillery's characteristic "fruit, sea spray and spice."

Tasting note: Deep brass gold. A spicy lift to the nose - even a little heat - some pickled onion and background sulphur too before ginger bread, oatmeal and touch of coastal freshness emerge. Better after air contact. Mildly prickly, with a decent spike of cinnamon warmth; Flashes of sulphur develop alongside the sweet malt; Ginger bread, dried apricot and peppery notes break through at the finish. Delicately sherried, the aftertaste recovers with hints of baked citrus, honey, lingering wood spice, light brine and distant peat. Nice aperitif style. 46% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... New for 2017... The nose is fragrant, with prunes, oranges, vanilla, and faint wood polish. Ultimately, ozone. Silky palate delivery, with sweet sherry, honey, and dark chocolate-coated orange fondant creams, then a note of angelica. The finish offers spicy plain chocolate and a suggestion of sea salt.
91 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Winter 2017)

Double Gold San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2018

Category Winner 2018 World Whisky Awards

...this new recipe works much better and the result is a vast improvement over the older version. Mind you, this is not a Springbank but it does packs gentle smokiness, coastal and mineral notes with a bright fruitiness and gentle sherry notes. Definitely a good sipper and finally Glen Scotia have something good to offer for this age bracket. - whiskygospel.com