Description

Glen Scotia Aged 9 Years Malts Festival 2025 Heavily Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Ribera del Duero Finish (700ml)

Volume: 700ml          ABV: 54.3%           Age: 9 Years Old        Country: Scotland

The Glen Scotia distillery is located in Campbeltown, on the Kintyre Peninsula on Scotland’s west coast. This small town was once a bustling hub of whisky production, earning it the title “Whisky Capital of the World” in the Victorian era, boasting over 30 distilleries at its peak. Today, only three distilleries remain: Springbank, Glengyle (Kilkerran), and Glen Scotia. It was founded in 1832 as “Scotia Distillery.” It’s one of the most historically resilient distilleries in Scotland, having weathered numerous closures, changes in ownership, and the dramatic decline of Campbeltown’s whisky industry. Like many distilleries in Campbeltown, Glen Scotia faced immense challenges, particularly with American Prohibition in the 1920s and the Great Depression, which decimated its export market. It closed for periods in 1928, 1942 (due to WWII), and 1984. However, it always managed to restart production, demonstrating its incredible perseverance. Since 2014, the distillery has been owned by the Loch Lomond Group, who have invested significantly in its revitalisation, modernising some aspects while retaining traditional methods and promoting the Glen Scotia brand globally. They’ve focused on consistency and showcasing the unique Campbeltown character.

This release is crafted specifically for the annual Campbeltown Malts Festival, showcasing unique cask maturation. This is a heavily peated single malt. Glen Scotia only distills peated spirit for a few weeks each year, making this a special and more intense smoky offering from the distillery. It is matured for an initial period (in ex-Bourbon barrels) and then undergoes a finish in Ribera del Duero red wine casks. Ribera del Duero is a prestigious wine region in Spain known for its powerful, structured red wines, typically made from Tempranillo grapes. These casks have created rich dark fruit, spice, and some tannic notes. The ABV for festival releases can vary, but Glen Scotia’s special editions are often bottled at a robust strength, typically around 50-55% ABV or higher, to deliver full flavour. This bottling has been bottled at 54.3% alc/vol. Non-chill filtered and has natural colour, consistent with premium festival bottlings that aim to present the whisky in its purest form.

Our Tasting Notes

This Glen Scotia promises a fascinating and bold interplay of its unique Campbeltown maritime character and heavy peat, with the rich, robust influence of Spanish red wine casks.

Nose: A powerful introduction of swirling peat smoke and coastal salinity, immediately intertwined with rich aromas of vibrant juicy blackberries and red fruits. Notes of creamy vanilla, a touch of liquorice, and hints of toasted sugars and a subtle medicinal edge also emerge, creating a complex and alluring bouquet.

Palate: Full-bodied, thick, and oily, wonderfully coating the mouth. An instant rush of robust, sweet, and savoury notes, with sizzling red meat and dark malt initially prominent, swiftly accompanied by ashy, bonfire smoke. The fruity richness from the Ribera del Duero casks shines through, delivering flavors of stewed plums, juicy blackberries, and redcurrants. This interlaces with Glen Scotia’s classic briny character, bold spices like ginger, and black pepper.

Finish: Long, warming, and profoundly complex. The heavy peat smoke lingers beautifully, accompanied by notes of dried currants, cherries, and cranberries. A subtle dry wine influence and hints of soft tannins, combined with a touch of espresso and a velvet mouthfeel, round out this captivating and evolving experience.

This release is a prime example of Glen Scotia’s innovative spirit, expertly marrying its traditional profile and bold peat with a distinctive and powerful wine cask influence.