Glen Scotia 25 Year

For the finale of my small Glen Scotia series, I have a small sample of their 25 year that bumps the ABV of the 15 and 16 from 46% to 48.8%. The nose starts with a mix of lemon meringue pie, limes, burnt hay bales, light ocean brine and dusty old leather bound books then pipe tobacco along with seaside rock minerality followed by chamomile tea, brut champagne, apricots and mango that transitions to ginger, cloves, black pepper, and antique polished furniture with light ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with slightly soured but creamy tropical fruits before a mild pepper spice that quickly fades to charred lemon, kaffir lime leaves, burning bales of hay, light ocean brine and dusty old leather bound books then dark chocolate covered toasted almonds followed by chamomile tea, brut champagne, apricots and mango that transitions to ginger, cloves, black pepper, and an ashy oak spice with medium ethanol burn The finish is medium length with burnt hay bales, soft creamy tropical fruits, sea salt taffy, spicy dark chocolate mocha and dusty old leather bound books. This is an excellent dram that brings in those typical Glen Scotia notes of citrus, farmyard, ocean brine, rocky minerality, and tea that the additional aging has polished out those sour fruits into softer, sweeter and creamier fruits along with dusty books and antique furniture. The flavors are much bolder than the 15 or 16, likely from the additional years resting in the barrel and the extra ABV, that are expertly balanced, but have a bit more of an ashy bitterness than I'd prefer in the beginning of the taste and start of the finish. At a price of $400+ a bottle, this is an expensive treat that I wouldn't recommend buying as you can get better whisky for a much lower price. If you happen to be able to find a sample or a fair price at a bar, I'd recommend giving it a try as it's a fun one to explore, but not something that I think can justify that premium price.

So we've driven 200 miles from Talisker Distillery to Loch Lomond after hiking near Glenbrittle on Skye. Beautiful day and why not round the evening off with a Glen Scotia 25 year old, around $75 for a double here at the excellent Loch Lomond Arms. Just what I needed - there is something about these Campbeltown boys'n'gals that imparts a subtle difference compared to other malts. The NOSE is just superb, very rich, fruity, with hints of candy, cinnamon, but also summer berries. The PALATE, first I taste a huge burst of toffee- apple, then i taste almonds, finally summer-berries jam. The extra 7 years give it that additional depth to the liquid. The FINISH is body-warming as you would expect, gentle spiciness; it is long and delicious. Overall it brings on the mood of those summers we thought would never end, as you run and run to catch the sun but it's sinking! Delicious neat, perhaps 5 tiny drops of water at most - recommended! :)

(Good Spirits Co. Glasgow – Virtual Glen Scotia Whisky Tasting, 27 May 2021. Hosted by GSC, with Iain McAlister, Master Distiller at Glen Scotia, as guest speaker). Nose: Light oak, salt/saline, damp earth/smoke, baking spices, light orchard fruit notes. Spicy and a little ‘hot’ on the nose. Palate: Strong oak, vanilla, orchard fruit (red apple), caramel, salt/saline, coffee Finish: Oily, medium long finish. Spices - ginger & clove. Strong oak and vanilla pod. Soft oils. 12 months finish in 1st fill bourbon Good hints of Campbeltown funk on the nose. Less so on the palate, but not to its detriment. This is an outstanding coastal dram - flavourful, layered and elegant. A well thought out, well crafted, spicy and fruity dram. Came first out of the six drams, with 42% of the final vote for favourite of the night. 100% of those present said they enjoyed the whisky.

Drammers Club online pour, in fact only 1/3 25 year olds tried during the event along with a Murray McDavid sherry and burgundy cask and an smws 93.78 like a vintage dessert wine aged in a 2nd fill Oloroso butt. Great stuff even though my least favorite of the 3 25 year olds. Nose: Vanilla, Peach, Grass, Green Chiles, Citrus, Salted Caramel, Flowers, Banana Cream Pie, Cooked Agave, Pineapple, Mango, Passion Fruit, Cinnamon, Baking Spices, Peanuts Palate: Caramel, Flowers, Citrus, Peach, Vanilla, Grass, Coconut, Banana, Pepper, Smoke, Apricot, Cherry, Peanuts Finish: Vanilla, Apricot, Caramel, Grass, Almonds, Flowers

I have tried a few in the Glen Scotia range including the 15, 18 victoriana and now 25. I'll say overall whilst a very pleasant distillery it isn't one that has made much of a lasting impression. the minor exception is the nas statement the victoriana which was a lot more punchy in terms of flavours. vanilla honey and green apple are the predominant flavour characteristics here , accompanied by a slight ethanol bent which makes it slightly out of kilter and makes for an average shortish finish.

Nose with an earthy grass, sea breeze and ginger. Light, sweety palate with fresh citrus and coastal air and saltness. Finishing with fresh green spices and ginger. One of the few whiskies in which you can really separate the taste on a few periods - from start to finish. An explosion of flavours. WOW!