Glen Scotia 9 Years Old 2012 (SMWS 93.181)

A Glen Scotia of a 9 year old chosen by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, distilled in 2012, from cask 93.181, bottled at 61.9%, one of 219 bottles. Glen Scotia is a Campbeltown single malt from the Loch Lomond Group, salty and oily in style. Its long ferment, averaging well over a hundred hours, builds a fruity, coastal character.

Run through the stills and shell and tube condensers on Crosshill Loch water, giving a coastal, briny Campbeltown spirit. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the oily spirit. In these extractive early years the oak gives vanillin as vanilla and oak lactones as coconut over a briny, oily spirit. The cool, salt laden Campbeltown air gives a slow, coastal maturation in the warehouses. Long ageing turns the fresh citrus towards dried fruit, salted toffee and a soft spice. Crosshill Loch water and a long ferment give the oily, coastal Glen Scotia make.

Bottled at a cask strength 61.9%, it is rich. A briny, oily coastal fruit, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked apple and a sea salt lift it. The finish is rounded, salted and oily. This is an oily, coastal malt from the Kintyre coast.