GLEN SCOTIA CAMPBELTOWN MALTS FESTIVAL EDITION 2026 - 53.9%

From the distillery website

Our annual Campbeltown Malts Festival Editions are crafted for whisky lovers seeking bold character and moments of discovery. For 2026, Master Blender Ashley Smith drew on Glen Scotia’s rare peated spirit, produced for only a few weeks each year, to create a dram that honours tradition while embracing flavour exploration.

The single malt was matured in first-fill Bourbon casks for seven years, allowing our distinctive maritime character to fully unfold, before being transferred into first-fill Ruby Port casks for a six-month finish.

Tasting notes:

Appearance: Copper gold with an orange-pink blush, forms a thin line which beads before falling slowly as thick, oily legs

Nose: Dry ashy peat, smoked meats, dark fruit and salty sea air

Palate: Mouthcoatingly thick and oily with a touch of oaky astringency. A hefty hit of bonfire smoke, juicy dark fruit, runny honey, vanilla sauce, maritime saltiness and crystallised ginger spice. With a few drops of water the smokiness and astringency drop a little, the berry notes become more prominent and a note of tinned satsumas appears

Finish: Long and lingering with gentle astringency. Ashy peat smoke, coastal salt and warming baking spices

Overall: It’s big and bold, full of smoke and fruit, with a touch of youthfulness whilst managing to retain that Campbeltown character.

I’ve been critical recently regarding overpriced, underwhelming festival bottles from other distilleries. Not this time. Glen Scotia have produced a seriously good whisky, more than fit for the occasion and, at the launch price of £59, an absolute bargain (Take note, Diageo!). I can honestly say there is a very solid chance I’ll be going back for another bottle or two while they’re still available.

If you would like more information on this whisky, or the Glen Scotia distillery, follow the link to the company website