Glen Scotia Distillery was a powerhouse whisky producer in Scotland’s Campbeltown area, as soon as a booming middle of whisky manufacturing for a lot of the nineteenth century with over 30 distilleries. Right this moment, it’s one in all solely three distilleries on that tiny, west coast peninsula to have survived the ups and downs of the Scotch trade. Beneath the possession of Loch Lomond Group for the reason that Nineteen Nineties, it has remained considerably below the radar, even in the course of the latest increase instances, with high quality choices like Double Barrel and Victoriana seeing solely restricted availability within the American market. However that’s apparently altering now.
In partnership with distributors Foley Household Wines & Spirits, Glen Scotia refocused in 2025 for wider distribution stateside with a specific emphasis on their age-stated core lineup. We acquired samples of three totally different expressions, essentially the most available from the age-stated core portfolio. Ideas observe.
Glen Scotia 10 Years Outdated Overview
Distilled from unpeated malt and aged 10 years in first fill ex-bourbon casks. The nostril is honeyed and grain-forward however not doughy or undercooked like some youthful single malts. It’s a mild however nonetheless fulsome aroma accented with candy malts, shortbread cookies, and somewhat Honey Nut Cheerios. Because it opens, a delicate citrus high quality develops – first dried peels then extra lemon oil – with undertones of salted caramel, a little bit of a nod to the ocean air of the Campbeltown coast.
The palate is hefty for such a modest abv, with a silky entry of barley sugar and light-weight maple syrup adopted by tender fruit notes on the midpalate – some pulpy orange slice and recent reduce honeydew. The midpalate reveals vanilla pudding and pineapple cake. These sweeter parts are balanced by a peppery heat, which is once more a bit shocking given the alcohol content material. Ditto the beneficiant end accented with somewhat candied ginger and tender wooden spice. Easygoing however nonetheless impressively flavorful and complicated, this teenager from Glen Scotia isn’t the shrinking violet the essential label may counsel. It’s a terrific every day sipper and a powerful first course from the storied Campbeltown distillery. 80 proof. A- / $70 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Glen Scotia 15 Years Outdated Overview
Distilled from unpeated malt and aged 15 years in a mixture of first fill ex-bourbon casks and re-fill American oak casks. It’s each bit as charming because the 10-year-old however with extra dimension and depth to it. The aroma is extra wooden pushed with high notes of caramelized sugar and heat baking spice that properly praise a beneficiant, fruity basis of baked apple, lemon zest, and candied ginger. The malts current with much less of a cereal high quality and extra of a heat bread character, yeasty and candy. Because it opens, delicate maritime undertones construct, delivering somewhat salted melon and savory, apple-filled pastry.
The palate reveals much more shocking heft than the 10-year-old with a wealthy entry of buttery pear tart, grated nutmeg, clove, and somewhat tobacco. An oily mouthfeel provides some weight, however it’s not syrupy or overly candy. As a substitute, this whisky appears to get extra piquant throughout the sip, including peach rings and dried banana earlier than dissolving right into a beneficiant end of orange blossom honey, blackberry, and heat barrel spice. A transparent step up from the entry-level 10 12 months previous providing with heaps to admire. 92 proof. A / $110 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Glen Scotia 18 Years Outdated Overview
Distilled from unpeated malt and aged 17 years in a mixture of first fill ex-bourbon barrels and re-fill American oak hogsheads earlier than a 12-month end in first-fill oloroso casks. The unusually gentle shade suggests what the nostril and palate quickly reveal: the sherry character is somewhat subdued, regardless of appreciable ending time. In reality, in comparison with the 15-year-old and even the decrease abv 10-year-old, every little thing about this single malt is a little more subdued. The nostril is inviting with maybe the boldest proof of sherry, blooming slowly with notes of almond cake, sultanas, butter pecan ice cream, and subtler oatmeal cookie and honeycomb. Along with the traditional Glen Scotia sea salt, there’s a waxiness to the aroma that provides some welcome texture to an in any other case gentle bouquet.
The palate is equally delicate and ethereal, delivering early notes of toffee and caramel sauce that skinny considerably throughout the sip. On the midpalate, baked peaches and heat pie spice add a little bit of candy and peppery power. What it lacks in complexity it makes an attempt to make up for with a silky, elegant mouthfeel that makes for easy sipping. The end reveals glimmers of a extra memorable dram with fading notes of nougatine, cocoa, and currants; the sherry cask getting its act collectively just a bit late within the sport. It’s undoubtedly the best sipper of the youthful Glen Scotias, however it doesn’t ship practically the identical depth of taste. 92 proof. B+ / $190 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Glen Scotia 15 Years Outdated
USD110
Visited 3 instances, 1 go to(s) as we speak
