Glen Scotia 18 46%
Our 18 year old is a luxuriously smooth Campbeltown single malt whisky, finished for 12 months in Oloroso sherry, which brings spicy and floral notes to the wonderful salted caramel character found in Campbeltown single malts. Expect thick sweet toffee and citrus fruits, perfectly balanced with subtle notes of sea spray and spice.
Glen Scotia 18 Year old started its maturation in refill bourbon casks or refill American oak hogshead before our Malt Master, Iain McAlister hand selected the finest ones and vatted them together for a 12 month finish in first-fill oloroso casks. The oloroso finish complements the perfumed, floral flavours without taking away the distillery character of fruit with hints of sea spray and spice. An exceptional single malt, delivering the true character of a Campbeltown malt whisky.
Tasting notes:
Nose: An elegant nose with crisp saltiness, perfumed floral notes, sweet honey and salted caramel.
Taste: An incredibly smooth and rich palate, with fruity flavours and thick sweet toffee. Expect notes of apricots, pineapple and plump sultana, with a gentle warming spice throughout.
Finish: Long and dry with gentle warming spice.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Deep gold, forms a thick, viscous line before eventually falling as thick slow legs.
Nose: Caramel, honey, hints of roasted pineapple and a waft of coastal salinity.
Palate: Honeyed sweetness, vanilla toffee, caramel, rum & raisin ice cream, salt and cinnamon spice.
Finish: Long, butter pastry with raisins followed by oatcakes and a hint of old oak.
Summary: Another offering from Glen Scotia which provides plenty of character whilst remaining remarkably well balanced. Sweet, tropical fruit notes, dried fruit notes from the Oloroso Sherry casks, and a light, coastal salinity that gives a reminder of its Campbeltown origins.
Overall a whisky that is very hard to find fault with, and at a little under £90 is one that compares favourably with many malts in the same price bracket. That said, the marvellous cask strength Victoriana still gets my vote as the pick of the current Glen Scotia crop.
Thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire for the @TweetTastings invitation to this tasting session.
If you would like more information on this whisky, or the Glen Scotia distillery, follow the link to the company website.
