
April 29, 2016

New Glen Scotia and an old bomb

Not much to say about 'the other Campbeltowner'. We've seen ups and we've seen downs, but it seems that the new owners are willing to 'push' the brand these days. Which started, as they often do in Scotland, with raising the prices.

Glen Scotia 'Double Cask' (46%, OB, +/-2015)

NAS, a finishing in sherry and first fill bourbon, a high price... Where else have we already seen that happening? Colour: gold. Nose: typical. Beer sauce, burnt wood, leaven, an earthiness, porridge, some saltpetre... It is a little feinty, but the finishing did work and managed to mask that side fairly well. Mouth: frankly, this is better than expected, and certainly better than the 'Victoriana'. Despite a little burnt cardboard and overcooked vegetables. It's a tad winey, but just a tad. Raisins and drops of grappa. Some porridge remaining in the aftertaste, as well as this 'burnt' side. Finish: medium, a tad sweet and sour, but it works. A kind of peppery smokiness in the aftertaste. Comments: really, it's fine. And they managed not to make it reek of vanillin. SGP:461 - 78 points.

Glen Scotia 15 yo (46%, OB, 2015)

Yes they redesigned the range last year. It's true that the flashy bottles they came up with around 2012 were really... something else. Colour: gold. Nose: oh yes! Sure it's got less personality than the Double Cask, but this sleeker style is much sexier and simply 'nicer'. Many cakes, pastries, light honeys, dried apricots, mirabelle jam... And of course vanilla. But it is not deadly vanilla-ed. Some sides remind me of Arran. That's not too far, is it? A regional style? I'm joking... Mouth: good. More character, with a grassy/dirty arrival that's actually pleasant, notes of moss and mushrooms, some green pepper - no, a lot of green pepper and even capsicum - and perhaps a salty touch. Quite a lot of ginger too, black pepper... Finish: quite long, mossy and peppery, with some bitter oranges. Bitter oranges always work in a finish. Comments: I'm really pleased with this baby. I think it's a success. Not Springbank, of course, but in thirty years time, you never know... SGP:462 - 83 points.

Hold on, we've also got this older monster...

Glen Scotia 12 yo (55.8%, James MacArthur, 75cl, +/-1986)

Young 1970s' distillation at cask strength, let's put our helmets on... Colour: white wine. Nose: take green apple juice, lamp oil, and chalk. Plus a little paraffin. Blend, mix, nose. With water: fresh concrete and sour dough. Mouth (neat): candlewax galore! And yeast and lemon. Really not easy. With water: not any easier, despite the lemon that got more vivid. This yeastiness is pretty extreme, but as they say, it's a style and in a way, it's historical. Finish: rather long, a tad gentler and easier. They added a little brioche and vanilla cake. Comments: of course not, whisky wasn't always better in the old days, but it's pleasant to try old totally un-commercial whiskies, you just need to intellectualise the experience a bit. SGP:361 - 72 points.

Check the index of all Glen Scotia I've tasted so far