Glen Scotia Victoriana Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

94.5 points from Jim Murray, World's Best No Age Statement Whisky for 2022 / Category Winner 2024, Platinum at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024... and the list goes on.

2024 isn't the first time significant praise has been lavished on Glen Scotia's 'Victoriana'. The cask strength release also captured the judge's attention at the 2022 World Whisky Awards where it was deemed World's Best No Age Statement Whisky, and before that in 2017, describing it as "An incredible whisky, packed with complexity." Add to that further endorsement from Jim Murray and you have the single malt equivalent of a slam dunk. Created in the vein of Scotch during the mid-to-late 19th century – the reign of Queen Victoria, hence the name - Victoriana is initially matured in ex-bourbon casks after which 30% sees a secondary spell in first-fill Pedro Ximénez (sweet) Sherry casks and 70% is finished in new heavily charred American oak. Weighing in at a generous 54.2%, purists will also love the fact that it's non chill filtered for maximum mouthfeel. There aren't that many single malts that you would consider buying repeatedly, but going by our experience of an earlier batch, this is one. Expect a flavour extravaganza.

Other reviews... n23.5 this has come out as gung-ho crushed hazelnut and barley. The subtlest hint of smoke makes you do a nasal double-take: is it there or not? It is...; t24 a fizzing display of ultra-lively, salivating tannins - a malt revelling in some sublime American oak. And if that isn't juicy enough, the barley pitches in to up the salivation score even further; f23 an elegant climb down. Drier, a little spice but some sexy cocoa notes moving towards praline; b24 as cheerfully bright and breezy a malt as you are likely to find and one bursting with deceptive complexity. If this is trying to depict your average bottle of whisky from Victorian Campbeltown, then it has failed miserably: it was never this good...! 54.2% Alc./Vol. 94.5 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2024

...I’m glad that Glen Scotia Victoriana does not have artificial caramel coloring because it is gorgeous in the glass, and I would feel a bit cheated knowing that the brilliant hue was artificially created. The time in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks (although we don’t know exactly how long) provides a deep, slightly red, golden color. The nose is complex with slightly sweet caramel, brown sugar, pineapple, mango, and a touch of cinnamon. On the palate, the whisky fairly bursts with a range of flavors that are integrated into a cohesive whole but can be separated out and appreciated individually: crème brûlée, milk chocolate, sea salt, and caramel. Interestingly, the fruit notes that appear on the nose do not translate to the palate. But the whisky is creamy, mouth coating, and rich without being overpowering. A touch of water makes the milk chocolate notes more prominent, and I recommend it. The finish is quite long and introduces a touch of mint and spice that slowly fades along with salted caramel and milk chocolate. This is fantastic Scotch. It is both simply enjoyable and rewards further contemplation. It lacks an age statement, but it makes a statement with its quality and character. - drinkhacker.com

Double Gold - San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017

Best Campbeltown Single Malt at the World Whisky Awards 2017.

After a period of closure in the mid 1980s Glen Scotia reopened towards the end of that decade. The distillery has always offered two styles of whisky - peated and non peated. Typically the latter is produced for about six weeks annually. Since 1999 it was distilling for only a few weeks of the year, thanks to the team at Springbank. Activity has been stepped up since 2007 with Malt Master, John Paterson at the helm. With just over a kilometre between them, speculation as to whether Glen Scotia will be the next Springbank is inevitable. Given the distillery's versatility and quality of output, the potential is there, but it probably won't balloon anytime soon (then again, just a few years ago many seasoned whisky lovers were oblivious to Springbank...) Place your bets. Right now, here's another perfect excuse to get better acquainted with Glen Scotia. 

[51.5% batch tasted] Gleaming polished copper appearance. Momentarily off-key followed by sultry aromas of toasted fruit-bread, pineapple pudding and deep vanillas. Five minutes exposure emphasises dark chocolate and roasted nuts amid flashes of sappy oak and trace sulphur. Exceptional balance. Full bodied yet perfectly rounded. Mid palate is toffee-dense, malt-rich becoming tantalizingly oily / buttery towards the finish. Honey oatmeal, vanilla fudge and resiny oak to close with a wound up, mouth coating stewed fruit / vanilla / creme-caramel and pepper finale. Ends medium long with the honeyed-fruitiness lingering. One for the end of the night. Non chill filtered. 95 points