Glen Scotia 16 Year

Aroma: Light peat, toffee, vanilla cream, lemon, nutmeg, pineapple, cereal grain, hay, tobacco, very ripe banana, mango, milk chocolate, green apple, with a mild to moderate alcohol burn. Taste: Salted caramel, vanilla, sweet floral notes, black pepper, cereal grain, lemon, mint, banana, cocoa, nutmeg, ginger, pineapple skin, tobacco, leather, a noticeable alcohol bite, and a medium-long finish with caramel, off-vanilla cream, and tropical fruit flavors. Next, I'm reviewing a special release from Glen Scotia. I recall trying their standard 15 Year expression previously, and I suspect this one is quite similar. The aroma has that sweet and slightly aged Campbeltown scent, along with a good amount of lemon, nutmeg, creamy milk chocolate, and interestingly, some rum-like banana and pineapple notes. The palate is mildly peaty and salty with a lemony tang, more tropical notes, and a pleasant floral quality. The finish is average, leaning slightly towards sour and bitter. Overall, it's good, possibly superior to the 15 Year, but not enough for me to rate it differently. It still presents as somewhat young with its persistent grainy character and sour edge. I'd be eager to sample a more mature Glen Scotia that addresses these shortcomings. However, for now, Springbank remains my top choice from the region. Many thanks to a friend for providing the generous sample!

The nose begins with a combination of charred lemons and limes, burnt hay bales, and ocean brine, followed by pipe tobacco alongside seaside rock minerality, then chamomile tea, grapefruit, golden raisins, and vanilla custard, transitioning to ginger, cloves, leather, and polished oak with a mild ethanol burn. The palate has a medium mouthfeel, starting with creamy tropical fruits that then shift towards a mild bitter spice before fading to charred lemons and limes, burning hay bales, and ocean brine, followed by dark chocolate-covered almonds alongside seaside rock minerality, then chamomile tea, tart apples, golden raisins, and vanilla custard, transitioning to ginger, cloves, leather, and polished oak with a mild ethanol burn. The finish is medium in length, featuring soft creamy tropical fruits, sea salt taffy, burnt hay bales, dark chocolate orange, leather, and espresso. The aroma is quite pronounced, with a blend of charred citrus, farmyard notes, ocean brine, rocky minerality, tea, and well-aged oak, which carries over to the taste with the addition of creamy tropical fruits that possess a slight, unbalanced bitterness before resolving into a very enjoyable finish of creamy fruits, hay, and earthy notes. Compared to the 15-year-old, this 16-year-old is not quite as balanced but offers richer and bolder flavors, which I believe give it an edge over the 15. Another very enjoyable dram from Glen Scotia, and thanks to a friend for sharing this with me.

Campbeltown whisky, the birthplace of Scottish whisky. Only three distilleries are currently operating there, and I must say I haven't sampled much from this region, but every time I have, it's been excellent. This was no exception. A beautiful dram, very well-balanced and expertly made. Bottled at 46% alcohol by volume. On the nose, it's where things are a bit underwhelming. Lemon, Peat, Burnt hay, Prunes, Grapefruit. It's a citrusy, rare whisky, very acetone-like. On the palate, the exciting flavors begin to unfold. Ashy, Super fresh; Citrusy and Balanced. Aftertaste is mildly Peated, with some notes of Prunes and "ashy citrus cigarettes." Truly amazing. Overall, if you're looking for an intriguing dram that offers smokiness and fruitiness, with ample flavor and the ability to surprise you, this is a solid choice. 89 out of 100.

A special release for global travel retail An outstanding single malt whisky created from carefully chosen barrels that showcase the authentic character of a 16-year-old Campbeltown malt whisky. The whisky has been gently matured in a combination of our finest American bourbon and oak barrels before bottling. The distinctive aroma has hints of vanilla oak, combined with subtle notes of sea mist and spicy aromatic fruits. Tasting Notes: Smell: Fresh sea mist and floral notes give way to smoother caramel and vanilla Taste: Rich sherry flavors, toffee, raisins, and roasted hazelnut. Apricot and orange add more delicate fruit notes Aftertaste: A long, dry finish with hints of peat mingling with nutty elements and coastal, salty notes Source: Glen Scotia

Smells of vanilla with a creamy mouthfeel. Offers notes of leather, sea salt, and iodine. The finish is spicy and has a touch of vanilla.

Received as a gift. Drank neat. Vanilla is the dominant note, with a slight spiciness. I enjoy this.