A notable distillery located in Campbeltown, Scotland, Glen Scotia distillery produces single malt Scotch whisky. The distillery has been operating for over one hundred and eighty years, and it has a formidable presence in the world of Scotch whisky.
In this article, we will be giving you a rundown of Glen Scotia, including the taste of this whisky, the type of Glen Scotia varieties available, and the history of the distinctive Glen Scotia distillery.
Glen Scotia: An Introduction
Glen Scotia refers to the single malt Scotch whiskies produced by the Glen Scotia distillery in Campbeltown, Scotland. Campbeltown is the smallest of the five whisky-producing regions in Scotland, and the Glen Scotia distillery has been in operation since 1832.
While there were once more than twenty whisky distilleries in this region, only three remain, with Glen Scotia being one of the most notable. The other whisky distilleries in the Campbeltown region include Springbank and Glengyle.
Glen Scotia Scotch whisky is perceived as a classic drink, and the flavor profiles of the single malt Scotch whiskies produced by the distillery vary based on aging and other factors. Many individuals prefer to drink their Glen Scotia neat or on the rocks, though it can be blended into a cocktail that features Scotch whisky if you choose.
You can recognize Glen Scotia whisky by the distinctive labels on the bottles and the rich array of amber colors this liquor comes in.
What Is the Alcohol Content of Glen Scotia?
The alcoholic content of Glen Scotia is fairly high, though this does match general expectations of a Scotch whisky.
Depending on the variation of Glen Scotia whisky you are drinking, you may find your bottle has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 40%, 46%, 48%, or 54%. You can check the label on the bottle of Glen Scotia whisky you are interested in for further details on the ABV.
What Is the History of Glen Scotia?
Founded in 1832 in Campbeltown, Glen Scotia has a notable history and has achieved significant pedigree after being one of only three remaining distilleries in this region.
Formerly known simply as ‘Scotia’ and founded by Stewart & Galbraith and Company, the distillery ran for around 60 years before being purchased by Duncan MacCallum in 1891. MacCallum constructed malting floors for the distillery, which remain in place to this day.
In 1933 the Bloch Brothers purchased the distillery and continued operating it, though there was a break in production from around 1942 to early 1945 due to the Second World War. In subsequent years, the Glen Scotia distillery passed through several different hands, being purchased by Hiram Walker and Sons of Dumbarton in 1954, A. Gilles in 1955, and then Amalgamated Distilled Products (ADP) in 1970 as it was merged with three other companies.
Around 1987, a buyout of part of Amalgamated Distilled Product led to Ian Lockwood acquiring the Glen Scotia distillery and the distillery separating from the ADP company.
In 2014, the Loch Lomond Group purchased the Glen Scotia distillery and invested in growing this brand into the notoriety that we see today. Distillery tours and tastings are now offered to visitors to the area, and many individuals enjoy seeing the interior of the distillery, where most equipment and the design date back to the opening of the distillery in 1832.
Only eight employees work in the Glen Scotia distillery today, and the distillery is very much perceived as a staple in the community. With recent updates, visitors and lovers of Scotch single malt whisky flock to the area to take advantage of tours and tastings in addition to purchasing their favorite bottles of whisky straight from the source.
Where Is Glen Scotia From?
Glen Scotia has always been produced in Scotland, as it is a Scotch malt whisky. It has been made in the same distillery in Campbeltown, Scotland for the past one hundred and eighty years with no signs of stopping, and the brand and its notoriety in the world of Scotch whiskies only continues to grow.
When Was Glen Scotia Created?
Glen Scotia was first developed in 1832, and the area of Campbeltown was often referred to as the Victorian Whisky Capital of the world. One of only three remaining distilleries in the area from a peak of 21 in the 1800s, Glen Scotia has survived the test of time with its timeless single malt Scotch whisky.
What Types of Glen Scotia Are There?
While there may have been more variation around the founding of Glen Scotia whisky, today there are five core single malt Scotch whisky expressions produced by the distillery.
Types of Glen Scotia include:
- Double cask
- 15 year old
- Victoriana
- 18 year old
- 25 year old
These expressions have a range of ABV and flavor notes, while the general profile of a Glen Scotia single malt Scotch whisky includes a hint of smokiness, undertones of toffee, and maritime influences.
Additionally, each type of Glen Scotia around today has been expertly designed and curated to stay true to the original ‘malt style’ of Campbeltown. Occasionally, the distillery produces special bottlings for certain events, local celebrations, or as part of the yearly Campbeltown Malt Whisky Festival.
Glen Scotia Victoriana Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Glen Scotia’s Victoriana is a modern take on a classic Victorian style Campbell Malt Whisky. This specific whisky was Best in Class for the 2022 No Age Statement Single Malt Whisky Scotch Whisky competition, which is a testament to this scotch’s quality. First, the scotch is matured in first and second fill bourbon barrels, but Glen Scotia doesn't stop there. It's finished in PX and charred oak casks that add even more flavor to the whisky.
Victoriana Single Malt Scotch Whisky is available globally and bottled at 54.2% ABV (108.4 proof), so it's one of the stronger scotches you can sip. It's made for sipping with a splash of water or over ice. However, there's nothing wrong with going neat on this one. It has a fruit and oak nose, followed by a spice and roasted sugar flavor. Its finish is dark chocolate, dark fruits, and cocoa.
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Glen Scotia 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Another classic from Glen Scotia’s lineup is the 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It's everything you would expect from a delicious scotch. It has a ginger snap and baked fruit nose, followed by a plump fruit and apricot flavor. The finish is more earthy with hints of spice, honey, and a smoothness that makes sipping this scotch whisky a breeze. It's bottled at 46% ABV.
The secret behind the 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is how it's made. It's aged in American oak casks, that used to house bourbon, which gives it a smokier flavor than other scotches. However, it still maintains the crops flavor notes you look for in a good scotch. This choice of American oak casks comments Glen Scotia's slow fermentation and small batch process very well.
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Glen Scotia Campbeltown Malts Festival Edition 2024
Every year Glen Scotia sends a whisky into the Campbeltown Malts Festival. This year, Glen Scotia outdid themselves with the Campbeltown Malts Festival Edition 2024. It's a single malt scotch whisky that's been aged for 9 years, but with a twist. The twist? 6 months of maturation in Fino sherry casks. This adds a special twist to the scotch that emboldens the flavor.
The nose is fresh and floral, which is followed by a lemon citrus, white orchid fruit, and oak spice flavor. Then, it wraps up with a long finish that takes you through subtle maritime salinity and spices. Bottled at 56.2% ABV, or cask strength, this is a scotch you won't want to miss this year.
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Glen Scotia Double Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Double Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a great introduction to Glen Scotia’s product line. It has subtle hints of fudge and chocolate, but with a spicy and earthy nose. The finish is also long, spicy, and perfect for people who love whisky. Bottled at 46% ABV, it also packs a punch. Whether you sip it or mix it with a cocktail, you'll feel that buzz creep up, but in a good way.
What makes this whisky unique is how it tastes for its price point. Glen Scotia proved a point with this one, with that point being age isn't everything. It's a cheaper scotch, but that doesn't mean it tastes bad. Plus, it's still matured in first fill bourbon barrels and further matured in PX sherry casks. The result is a Glen Scotia scotch that's affordable, fruity, smooth, and a testament to Campbeltown’s native flavors.
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Glen Scotia 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
When you’re looking for a delicious, aged scotch whiskey, you can't go wrong with Glen Scotia's 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It's aged for 17 years in refill bourbon oak casks, which are made with American oak wood. Glen Scotia’s Master Blender hand-picks each cask and then adds another 12 months of maturation in Oloroso casks. Bottled at 46% ABV, this isn't a single malt scotch you want to miss.
That said, Glen Scotia would rather let its flavor do the talking. It has a fruity and sweet honey nose that's followed by a smooth and rich palate. You'll notice fruity flavors, sweet toffee, and even hints of pineapple. Then, you’re escorted through the rest of your sip with a long finish that's dry, gentle, and smooth. Overall, sipping this scotch is an experience, so we recommend against mixing it with cocktails or drinking it as a shot.
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Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Double Cask Rum Finish Single Malt Scotch is another fan-favorite from Glen Scotia. Instead of the usual finish in American oak barrels, this batch is matured in Guyanese demerara rum barrels. The result is a sweet, exotic-tasting scotch whisky. It's made with the same Campbeltown ingredients in the brand’s other whisky products, but the rum-barrel finish gives it a sweeter finish. While it's one the sweeter side, it's still strong. It's bottled at 46% ABV.
That said, we bet you’re more interested in the sweet flavor it promises. Well, you won't be disappointed. The nose gives off a maritime sea aroma with hints of tropical fruits. For the flavor, expect a taste of cooked sugar, molasses, and sweet peach with every sip. When it comes to the finish, you won't be disappointed by the warming spice and maritime salty aftertaste.
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Glen Scotia Campbeltown Harbour Whisky
Looking for a more affordable scotch whisky without compromising the quality? Then the Campbeltown Harbor Whisky is perfect for you. Coming in at less than $40 per bottle, it's a budget-friendly option that won't disappoint. Campbeltown Harbor Whisky is loaded with ingredients native to the region, so you still get those subtle Campbeltown notes found in other Glen Scotia scotch whisky options.
According to Glen Scotia, this whisky is a toast to Campbeltown Harbor, and it shows in the flavor. The nose includes sea spray, vanilla, and lavender. It's nose is followed by soft peach and crisp apple flavors that finish with dry, smoky, and maritime sea spray notes. That said, it's bottled at 40% ABV, so a little less potent than some of Glen Scotia’s other whisky options.
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Glen Scotia 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
In the mood for an aged scotch that tastes of class? If so, the 25 Year Old Single Malt Whisky from Glen Scotia is perfect for you. This specific whisky was the winner of the Best in Show Award at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition in 2021. Therefore, you're getting a classy, elegant, and award-winning scotch whisky. For these reasons, make sure you sip this whisky neat, or at most, with a splash of water to open it up.
When it comes to the flavor, expect a smoothness that's hard to find elsewhere. 25 Year Old Single Malt Whisky has an Atlantic breeze nose that's paired with red apple, orange peel, and vanilla syrup flavors. The finish is long and tastes of the lingering sea. While it's one of the brand’s more expensive options, you'll soon discover that it's worth every penny.
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Glen Scotia 21 Year Old Whisky
Another award-winning whisky from Glen Scotia is the 21 Year Old Whisky that won Best in Class at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This is a single malt scotch that's been aged for 21 years in a combination of refill bourbon barrels and American oak hogshead barrels.
Each barrel is selected by Glen Scotia's team, and then the whisky is finished for another 6 months in Oloroso sherry casks; the sherry finish adds perfumed floral notes that you can't miss. The flavor is also smooth and delicious with notes of baked red apples, star anise, and hints of toffee. For the finish, expect a complex and lingering taste of sherry dryness and sea salt.
It's the perfect mid-range option for people who want a smooth and flavorful scotch without breaking the bank. It's perfect for sipping neat, but many people also enjoy it on the rocks or with a splash of water. Glen Scotia's 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is bottled at 46% ABV.
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Glen Scotia Alice Angus Spirit Safe Collection
Glen Scotia is one of the few distilleries that produces high-end scotch whisky. The Alice Angus Spirit Safe Collection is a testament to the brand’s level of quality and success. In 2022, the brand partnered with Scottish artist Alice Angus to create special artwork for this specific batch of whisky. Therefore, you get more than just whisky, you get a dedication to spirits and art with every bottle. There are a few styles to choose from, so the type of artwork you get comes down to preference.
That said, don't let the inclusion of fine art distract you from the quality and flavors of this scotch whisky. Only 120 bottles are available and it's been aged for 30 years, making it one of the brand’s oldest batches to date. For the flavor, expect to sip on one of the smoothest whisky options around, and make sure you sip it neat or with a splash of water. Otherwise, you'll miss out on apple, honeyed pear, and ginger spice flavor notes.
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Glen Scotia 48 Year Old Whisky
Glen Scotia's Magnum Opus is its 48 Year Old Whisky. Only 250 bottles are available around the world, so act fast if you want to add this whisky to your collection. It was made by a non-chill filtered process and aged for 48 years in oak casks. This long maturation process gives the whisky one of the smoothest flavors that you'll ever come across. Make sure you enjoy this whisky neat, and only during special occasions. If you happen to be in Campbeltown, you can pop into their shop to see the whisky in person.
When it comes to flavor, this almost 5-decade-old whisky won't disappoint. It has a coastal saltiness in the nose that's followed by hints of Seville orange and other herbal notes. The flavor includes sugar, orange, cinnamon spice, and some hints of marmalade. For the finish, expect a long one with melted brown sugar, apricot, and stone fruit.
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What Ingredients Are in Glen Scotia?
Glen Scotia distillery produces Scotch whiskies that feature unpeated, medium peated, and heavily peated malt barley. This barley is then put through the milling and mashing process, subsequently combined with water from the nearby Crosshill Loch. After the fermentation and distilling process, different varieties of finishing casks are used to give Glen Scotia its distinctive flavor profiles.
The main variations of Glen Scotia will feature similar starting ingredients, with the difference in the flavor profiles being made by the age of the whisky and the type of finishing cask the whisky is aged in.
How Much Does Glen Scotia Usually Cost?
The price of Glen Scotia Scotch whisky does vary a bit depending on the age of your chosen whisky and whether or not it is a special release or limited edition. On average, you can expect to pay between $74.99 and $549.99 for a bottle of Glen Scotia, depending on the variety. More aged and limited edition bottles are more expensive.
At a restaurant or bar, you can expect to pay the standard price of a top-shelf shot of liquor in your area. However, this does vary by location and establishment, so consult prices in your area for more specifics.
What Is the Best Way to Enjoy Glen Scotia?
Glen Scotia single malt Scotch whisky is best enjoyed the same way you enjoy any other whisky (or whiskey) – many individuals enjoy sipping Glen Scotia neat, over ice, or with a drop of water to open up the flavors.
Glen Scotia isn’t typically blended into cocktails, though it can be mixed into drinks that require Scotch whisky as a main component. If you are interested in a simple mixer for your Glen Scotia, popular options include ginger beer, cola, soda water, and lemonade or sweet and sour mix.
In general, you should be serving your Glen Scotia at room temperature in a lowball glass. You can place an ice cube in the glass if you wish, and you may want to use a cocktail glass if you plan on blending your Glen Scotia Scotch whisky into a cocktail.
Glen Scotia can be enjoyed by itself as a before or after-dinner drink, or you can enjoy it alongside cheese and meat boards. Fresh fruit, chocolate, and dried fruits all offer unique combinations to your Scotch whisky and tend to bring out the hidden flavors and undertones in your glass of Glen Scotia.
If you are serving Glen Scotia alongside a formal dinner, smoked meats or hearty meats such as lamb and beef pair well with this liquor, along with dark chocolate desserts. Surprisingly, sashimi-style fish and oysters also make good pairings for Scotch whisky.
How to Choose a Good Glen Scotia
Choosing a good Glen Scotia for your needs depends on your personal preferences and how you wish to serve your Glen Scotia. You may also want to take into account your budget, as some bottles and limited edition releases of Glen Scotia Scotch whisky can be on the pricier side.
In general, you can pay close attention to the labeling on your bottle of Glen Scotia to determine if it is the right choice for you. The label will detail the age and ABV of the whisky, and it may include details about flavor notes and the maturation process of your liquor.
Scotch whiskies that are aged longer are generally considered more complex in terms of flavor profile, and you may be able to detect additional notes in your Glen Scotia if you pick one aged more than ten years. You can also make your choice of Glen Scotia based on expected flavor notes and how strong the overall flavor is anticipated to be.
Where Can You Find Glen Scotia?
Glen Scotia can be found throughout the United States, and you may be able to purchase it at local liquor stores or bars and restaurants that carry a wide variety of Scotch whisky.
This brand may not be the most commonplace for many chain restaurants, but it is well known as a more upscale Scotch whisky brand, and it can be found in more artisanal establishments. You might also be able to purchase your favorite Glen Scotia bottles online or directly from the distiller’s website.
Glen Scotia FAQs
Glen Scotia, like many other Scotch whiskies, may raise a few questions as you start to think about adding these liquors to your collection. We answer some frequently asked questions about Glen Scotia below to give you more clarification.
What Is the Maritime Influence on Glen Scotia Scotch Whisky?
Though it might sound strange, a maritime influence in Glen Scotia Scotch whisky occurs when the liquor is aged in casks near the sea.
Salt from the ocean and high winds permeate the casks, leading to the ‘maritime influence.’ Upon tasting the Scotch whisky, you may be able to detect hints of salt, sea air, and a distinctive umami flavor.
How Do I Purchase a Special Edition Bottle of Glen Scotia?
Purchasing a special edition bottle of Glen Scotia can be a little bit difficult, especially if you are located outside of Scotland. The best way to do this is to pick up a limited edition bottling on your next trip to the distillery or check the distillery’s website to see which limited edition and special bottlings of Glen Scotia are available for shipment.
Is Glen Scotia Different From Other Scotch Whiskies?
Glen Scotia is a unique Scotch whisky in that it is produced in the region of Campbeltown, the smallest of recognized whisky-producing regions. The distillery has been in operation for almost two centuries, and the flavor profile of all Glen Scotia whiskies has the distinctive flavor assortment of the Campbeltown malt style.
Enjoy a Sip of Glen Scotia Scotch Whisky
One of the more distinctive brands of Scotch whisky, Glen Scotia is notable for the timeless way it has produced quality whisky throughout the years. If you are interested in the unique taste of Glen Scotia, you can purchase this liquor online or at a local liquor store that imports it.
You can enjoy your Glen Scotia neat, over ice, or mixed into a cocktail that allows the distinctive flavor profile of this Scotch whisky to shine through.
