Glen Scotia releases 25yo single malt whisky
Loch Lomond Group-owned Glen Scotia has launched a 25-year-old expression to mark the 2017 Campbeltown Whisky Festival.
Bottled at 48.8% abv and non-chill-filtered, the liquid was matured in American oak barrels before being married in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks for 12 months.
Unveiled during the festival on 24 May, the “maritime influenced” single malt was created to reflect the history of the distilling region, with the bottle carrying Campbeltown co-ordinates.
There were once over 30 distilleries on the Kintyre peninsular, but today only three remain operational.
“I created the 25 year old with the history of Campbeltown in mind,” said master blender Michael Henry.
“For many years, trade has come through this port town bringing fruits and spices from all over the world on its salty sea breezes. I wanted the liquid to reflect this.
“The signature nose has hints of vanilla oak, interwoven with subtle notes of sea spray and spicy aromatic fruits. On the palate, it boasts tangy orange and juicy red apples mixed with a caramel sweetness. Its finish is a long lingering taste of sea salt with a spicy note of ground ginger.”
Iain McAlister, Glen Scotia distillery manager, commented: “We’re extremely proud of our newly released 25-year-old malt and we’re confident that everyone who gives it a try is going to love it too. In recent years, our single malts have won some major industry awards and I can see our 25-year-old challenging the current leaders for a few more titles.
“While our 25-year-old maintains the unique character associated with Glen Scotia single malts, its gentle maturation in American oak and then finished in first-fill bourbon casks delivers an intense depth and a nose that will have drinkers almost feeling the Atlantic breeze blowing in over the Campbeltown coast.”
Whisky writer Charles MacLean, who led a tasting at the launch event, added: “I’m very impressed by Glen Scotia’s new 25-year-old. Even on the nose you can detect the age.
“It has all the characteristics that you’d expect from Glen Scotia but with a roundness to it. It is very nice indeed.”
Glen Scotia 25yo will retail at £250 for a 70cl bottle, available from whisky shops from June.
Last year, Loch Lomond Group released a trio of Glen Scotia single malts as part of a travel retail-exclusive collection.
