Glen Scotia 16 Year

Global Travel Retail Exclusive An exceptional single malt whisky matured from specially selected casks that deliver the true character of a 16 year old Campbeltown malt whisky. The whisky has been gently matured in our finest mix of bourbon and oak American barrels before bottling. The signature nose has hints of vanilla oak, interwoven with the subtle notes of sea spray and spicy aromatic fruits. Tasting Notes: Nose: Fresh sea spray and floral notes give way to softer caramel and vanilla Palate: Rich sherry flavours, toffee, raisins and roasted hazelnut. Apricot and orange add more subtle fruit notes Finish: Long dry finish with touches of peat combining with nutty elements and coastal, salty notes Source: Glen Scotia

The nose starts with a mix of charred lemons and limes, burnt hay bales and ocean brine then pipe tobacco along with seaside rock minerality followed by chamomile tea, grapefruit, golden raisins and vanilla custard that transitions to ginger, cloves, leather and polished oak with light ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with creamy tropical fruits that then veers towards a mild bitter spice before fading to charred lemons and limes, burning hay bales and ocean brine then dark chocolate covered almonds along with seaside rock minerality followed by chamomile tea, tart apples, golden raisins and vanilla custard that transitions to ginger, cloves, leather and polished oak with light ethanol burn The finish is medium length with soft creamy tropical fruits, sea salt taffy, burnt hay bales, dark chocolate orange, leather and espresso. The nose is fairly bold with a mix of charred citrus, farmyard, ocean brine, rocky minerality, tea and well aged oak that carries over to the taste with the addition of creamy tropical fruits that has a slight off-balance bitterness fading into a very enjoyable finish of creamy fruits, hay and earthy notes. Side by side with the 15, the 16 isn't quite as balanced but has richer and bolder flavors that I think helps it edge out the 15. Another very tasty dram from Glen Scotia and thanks @Richard-ModernDrinking for sharing this one with me.

Nose - light peat, toffee, vanilla cream, lemon, nutmeg, pineapple, cereal grain, hay, tobacco, overripe banana, mango, milk chocolate, green apple, mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste - salted caramel, vanilla, sweet floral notes, black pepper, cereal grain, lemon, mint, banana, cocoa, nutmeg, ginger, pineapple skin, tobacco, leather, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with caramel, spoiled vanilla cream, and tropical fruit flavors. Next up on my list of one-off reviews is this Glen Scotia travel retail offering. I’ve tried the classic 15 Year in the past, and I’m guessing this isn’t so different. The nose carries that sweet and slightly rotten Campbeltown aroma. There’s also a decent dose of lemon, nutmeg, creamy milk chocolate, and interestingly some rummy banana and pineapple notes. The palate arrives mildly peaty and salty with a lemony zing, more tropical notes, and a nice floral quality. The finish is middling with a slight drift toward sour and bitter territory. Overall this is good, probably better than the 15 Year, but not enough for me to rate it differently. It still tastes a bit youthful with its lingering grainy character and sour posture. I’d love to taste a more mature Glen Scotia offering that sheds some of these flaws. But until then, Springbank reigns supreme in the region for me. A big thank you to @Richard-ModernDrinking for providing the generous sample!

Strong but smooth

Campbeltown whisky, where scottish whisky was born. Only three distilleries are working there nowadays, and i got to say that i haven't tried much from this region, but every time i had one it has been great. This was no exception. A beautiful dram, very balanced and well crafted. Bottled at 46%abv. On the nose it is where things are a little weak. Lemon, Peat, Burnt hay, Prunes, Grapefeuit. Its a citric rare whisky, Very acetonic. On the palate, the rollercoaster of great flavors start. Ashy, Super fresh; Citric and Balanced. Aftertaste is mildly Peated, some notes of Prunes and "Ashy citric cigarretes". Amazing really. Overall if you want an interesting dram that gives you peatiness and fruitiness, with enough flavor and capability to surprise you, this is a good option. 89 over 100.

Pretty harsh alcohol for a 16 year old. That said, it's a nice flavour.