Glen Scotia Distillery of the year 2021 22 Years Old 1999

A 22 year old Glen Scotia, a distillery bottling, from 1999, at 54.8%, 500 bottles in all. Glen Scotia is a maritime Campbeltown malt, one of the last three of a town that once held thirty. Its Victoriana and single cask releases have won the distillery wide acclaim.

It was drawn off the stills after a long ferment for a fruity, briny spirit, for an oily spirit with a coastal, salted edge. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the oily spirit. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds a richer, briny fruit. Long ageing turns the fresh citrus towards dried fruit, salted toffee and a soft spice. It is one of only three working distilleries left in Campbeltown, with Springbank and Glengyle. A gentle maturation suits the oily make, the sea salt and toffee growing with time. Refill oak lets the salty, oily Glen Scotia character lead the way.

At a hearty 54.8% it carries real weight. Citrus, salt and a soft vanilla, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Citrus, brine and a salted toffee fill the middle. A briny finish ends on citrus and a soft oak. This is Glen Scotia, a survivor of the old whisky capital.