Glen Scotia 14 Years Old 2011 (SMWS 93.230)

A 14 year old Glen Scotia from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, distilled in 2011, from cask 93.230, bottled at 57.5%. Glen Scotia is a salty, oily Campbeltown malt from the west coast of Scotland. It is one of only three working distilleries left in Campbeltown, with Springbank and Glengyle.

It was distilled slowly in a single pair of stills for an oily, coastal make, building a maritime character of sea salt and oil. A bourbon barrel held it, the wood adding a light vanilla over the brine. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the spirit, the brine deepening over a salted toffee. Long ageing turns the fresh citrus towards dried fruit, salted toffee and a soft spice. Its water is drawn from Crosshill Loch above the town. Refill oak lets the salty, oily Glen Scotia character lead the way. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit.

At its natural 57.5% it is concentrated. Sea salt, citrus and a salted toffee, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is oily and briny, the coastal spirit shining through. It finishes long, briny and oily. This is Glen Scotia's coastal, briny Campbeltown style.