Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Glen Scotia week continues with a turn to the funkier side of the distillate. The Campbeltown distillery is capable of producing some absolutely wild malts and the cask below was a superb example of the fine line between sanity and madness.
Distillery: Glen Scotia.
Bottler: SMWS.
Region: Scotland/Campbeltown Single Malt.
ABV: 58.4%.
Age: 10 years. Distilled on 29 Oct. 2008.
Cask type: First Fill Bourbon.
Nose: Maritime, blue cheese and honey, waxy white chocolate and chicory, lime juice, camphor, menthol, waxy soft cheese rind, waxy fruit candies.
Palate: Medium-bodied, waxy fruit punch candies, blue cheese and honey ice cream, gorgonzola and pear tart, muddled lime and mint, brie and orange, waxy, mellow hints of holly, burning gingerbread houses.
Finish: Lingering notes of salted candied fruits and chocolate.
Mental Image: Racoon’s Christmas Feast
Conclusion: Faintly maritime and very funky, the aroma was loaded with waxy fruits, chocolates, candies, and cheese rinds. Blue cheese and honey ice cream— do not knock it till you try it— faded as fruitier notions coalesced behind lime juice and Frooties— a waxy fruit punch candy. Bath salts and mellow medicinal notes of camphor and menthol patches lingered in the background. Medium-bodied, the flavor profile was sweet, fruity, and creamy-funky with waxy Frooties, and blue cheese-honey ice cream, or was it pear gorgonzola or brie orange? Muddled mint and lime cocktails lingered toward the end as holiday vibes arrived with waxy soft cheese rind (Baby Bells), holly bush, and a gingerbread house aflame with melting fruit candies and gumdrops. The finish was long with salted fruit candies and chocolate.
Certain to be divisive— pit sibling against sibling and tear households apart. I loved this Glen Scotia and all of its funky glory. I completely understand how some might be incredibly turned off by its unique profile of creamy, waxy fruits and cheeses, even if I loved it. It was not your standard fare, which made it a riotously good time.
Overall, the SMWS description immediately sold me on this bottle— it was just so bizarre. We included a sample in a “newbie” tasting kit for local whisky club members so that they could try a wide variety of distilleries they might never have encountered before. I heard back that several members found this whisky absolutely horrifying, yet I loved it and am so glad I bought a bottle. I awarded this an 88, briefly considered crossing into the 90s, and I completely accept that some would find a score half that high to be a bit much.
Final Score: 88.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 