Glen Scotia 8 Years Old 2016 (SMWS 93.223)

A Glen Scotia of an 8 year old chosen by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, distilled in 2016, from cask 93.223, bottled at 59.7%, one of 230 bottles. Glen Scotia is a Campbeltown single malt, one of only three distilleries left in the old whisky capital. It is one of only three working distilleries left in Campbeltown, with Springbank and Glengyle.

Worked through the stills for an oily, coastal make, giving a coastal, briny Campbeltown spirit. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the salty, oily character to the fore. Young and extractive, the cask sheds vanillin (vanilla) and toasted sugars (light caramel) over the salty make. The Campbeltown style is oily and salted, the cask deepening it over the years. Its long ferment, averaging well over a hundred hours, builds a fruity, coastal character. A long ferment gives a fruity make that ages with a coastal, oily grace.

At a hearty 59.7% it carries real weight. Baked apple, brine and a creamy oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is oily and briny, the coastal spirit shining through. The finish is rounded, salted and oily. This is a Campbeltown single malt of real character.