Review by: Raygun

One from Glen Scotia, the red-headed step-child of Campbeltown. Overshadowed by Springbank and Kilkerran these days. I don’t recall having a spectacular Scotia, but they tend to be consistently good. Let’s see what we have here. Sample and pic provided by Whiskery Turnip. Rested about 15 minutes.

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Distillery: Glen Scotia  

Bottler: SMWS     

Region/style: Campbeltown single malt Scotch

ABV: 55.9%. Cask strength.  

Age: 18 years. Distilled on February 7, 2003, bottled in 2021. 

Cask type: Bourbon hogshead for 15 years, then a refill Guyanese rum barrel, 225 bottles.

Color: 0.7 amber. Natural color. Non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Is this peated? You never know with Glen Scotia, but it sure smells like it. Salted caramel, butterscotch cookies, and a touch of banana. More than a touch, in fact. Squash blossoms.      

Palate: The palate confirms peat, though not too heavy. About Talisker level, I think, but don’t hold me to that. Somewhat smoky, somewhat earthy, and definitely coastal. Banana praline ice cream, salted caramel, and some lapsang souchong tea. A little bit of citrus, like charred lemon, along with papaya. Nice stuff. 

Finish: More lapsang souchong tea and ice cream, some vanilla joining the banana. Are tea affogatos a thing? This would be pretty close. Caramel, nuts, and toasted coconut. Slightly grassy. 

Conclusion: This was a surprise. Wasn’t expecting peated, even though it’s not rare for Glen Scotia. Also, if I’d read the label description, it was right there: “The right cross a peaty spirit…” Typical for Glen Scotia in some ways, but with a few real plot twists. Wouldn’t think a refill rum finish would have such an effect, but it brings some interesting stuff. I’m not even a fan of banana. Here, it works. Tastes good and has nice layers to it. I know there were many fans of the peated PX festival release last year, and I think this is considerably better. 

Buy a bottle? I’d grab one if I could. 

Score: 86

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
• 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)