Glen Scotia putting a spotlight on Campbeltown
Campbeltown is not the biggest place on this planet, but somehow we missed visiting the Glen Scotia Distillery during my last visit to the Wee Toon. As our usual Bed & Breakfast is located in the same street as the distillery, of course I managed to catch a glimpse of the buildings. We also missed out on doing a tasting with the ever friendly Distiller Manager Iain McAlister, who sadly had matters in his family to give his attention to. Life matters before whisky matters, that is how it is. On this Campbeltown Wednesday, we will round up two glasses of Glen Scotia for you. These two releases put the spotlight on the town.
Glen Scotia Campbeltown Harbour, bottled at 40 % abv
First things first: A bottling in the Classic Campbeltown Malt series from a few years ago, this one matured in first fill bourbon casks. Added to the label are the words “sea spray & gentle smoke”.
Upon Sipping: Nice and soft on the nose with hints of brown sugar and light vanilla. Warm air blowing in from the sea while waking past The Hall where Lorna is baking apple pie. Slight hints of cardboard reveal that this is straight and simple malt, but not at all lacking character. Taking a sip, you will discover that a Campbeltown malt is never easy. This one has a challenging bitterness of burned sugar, coffee and dark, resinous fruit cake. The subtle smoke elevates this Glen Scotia to quite an impressive entry level single malt. On repeated sipping I enjoy the nuttiness. One would almost think some sherry casks ended up in the vatting. Very balanced but with enough funkiness.
Word to the Wise: My expectations are well surpassed. For a NAS single malt at 40 % abv there are few comparable malts that can stand in the shadow of this expression. This Harbour bottle is an excellent gateway to Campbeltown whisky.
Score: 81 points.
Glen Scotia 14 years old, Icons of Campbeltown, bottled at 56,8 % abv
First things first: A bottling in the Icons of Campbeltown series, this being release 2 named “The Dragon”. The 14 year old Glen Scotia received a Barolo red win finish and is medium peated. Bottled on 22 Augustus 2024. Inspired by the Campbeltown Cross and the mythology depicted on it. In this case, the heroic fight of Saint Michael against a dragon.
Upon Sipping: The wine influence is not easily to get around on the nose, which is fine. It is nice and fruity with hints of earth in a dunnage warehouse. I don’t really pick up on the peat, almost as if the Harbour expression had more of it. Maybe enveloped by the wine treatment? Taking a sip, the whole combination impresses me, it seems to work. The rather funky Glen Scotia spirit, the rawness of the wine and the intense smoke are well balanced and make for a whisky larger than the sum of its parts. Quite an accomplishment when wine maturation is involved. With water: a lot more red fruits burst loose on the nose but it is mixed with a tropical note you can find in more straightforward bourbon matured Glen Scotia. On the finish I notice a distinct tangerine note. This is quite the fruity creation.
Word to the Wise: Wine maturation can work when there is some peat in play to balance the whisky. That worked like a charm in this Dragon Glen Scotia, that mixes a few winning elements into a triumph. I liked it a lot.
Score: 88 points.
Geef een reactie