Glen Scotia is one of the last three working distilleries surviving in Campbeltown, which at one time rivalled Speyside for the number of distilleries and output of whisky. The distillery was founded in 1832 by Stewart Galbraith, whose family held it until the end of that century.

Since then it has changed hands several times,including a spell of ownership in the 1950s by Hiram Walker (who also owned Scapa). Glen Scotia has been owned by Loch Lomond Distillers since 1996.

The distillery is said to be haunted by one of its previous owners, Duncan MacCallum, who drowned himself in Campbeltown Loch in 1930 after realising he had beentricked out of a fortune in a dodgy business deal. Stylistically, Glen Scotia is medium-bodied, with faint traces of smoke and a hint of brine.

Glen Scotia 15yo is aged exclusively in ex-bourbon casks so as not to mask the coastal influence.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Broad and medium-weight with citrus peels, ginger snap biscuits. Sweet and with great depth. Apricot aromas develop then drift towards fruit salad. After a short time the wood come to the fore and water helps to release baked fruit.

Palate: A complicated palate where the initial nose would lead you to expect plump fruits, what you get is a surprisingly dry element. The palate fleshes out as the first impact of the nose fades. Adding water brings out the caramelised elements balanced with the wood elements expected of a 15 yr old.

Finish: Firm and slightly dry.