Glen Scotia 25 48.8%
From the Glen Scotia website:
Our 25 year old whisky has been gently matured in our finest American oak barrels before being married in first-fill bourbon casks before bottling. The signature nose has hints of vanilla oak interwoven with the subtle notes of sea spray and spicy aromatic fruits. Bottled at 48.8% with no added colour or chill-filtration, as nature intended.
Nose. Bracing Atlantic breeze gives strong maritime influence.
Taste. Coastal air, red apple and tangy orange peel with vanilla syrup and caramel sweetness.
Finish. Long lingering sea salt with a spicy note of ground ginger.
Overall. Our distinguished Campbeltown malt whisky, 25 years old, takes the maritime sea spray flavour that the Glen Scotia distillery is so famous for and adds a special sweetness that stays with you long after the first dram.
This smooth 25 year old whisky merges land and sea with earthy oak notes complemented by the Campbeltown coastal air.
Winner of the Best in Show whisky at San Francisco World Spirit Competition 2021.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Deep gold, forms a thick, viscous line before eventually falling as thick slow legs.
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, hints of coconut and coastal air.
Palate: Baked Bramley apple, fresh red apples, a hint of dried pineapple slices, orange peel, almonds, caramel, vanilla and that unmistakeable coastal salinity.
Finish: Caramel and vanilla remain, as does the sea salt together with a mild ginger warmth.
Summary: Voted the World’s Greatest Whisky 2021 and it’s understandable why. It’s subtle but complex, and just keeps drawing you in. At a price of just under £500 there is always a part of me that hopes it doesn’t live up to the price tag, but on this occasion I feel grateful to be given the opportunity to try it. If you're looking for something very special and this is within your budget, then grab it while you can.
If you would like more information on this whisky, or the Glen Scotia distillery, follow the link to the company website.
Transparency: this sample pack was received free of charge for independent review. The author has no affiliation with the distillery, all opinions are my own and remain completely impartial.
