North Star Series 21 Campbeltown 2014

North Star Tasting with Iain Croucher at The Oak Barrel, 11 May 2023, Whisky #5 Nose: A big nose with lots of golden syrup, tobacco, fig jam, plum jam, waxed oak sideboard, chocolate and a pinch of anise. As it rests sweeter aromas appear with citrus and stone-fruits in the lead. Palate: Initially sweet and tart on the arrival with red current jam and morello cherries. This gives way to a malt-centred profile with spicy notes of chili, hot cinnamon and tannin in support. Some chewing tobacco and over-brewed black tea appear towards the finish but a mocha note gives it creaminess which offsets any astringency. Finish: Medium. Malty with dark fruit notes that change to a leathery flavour in the aftertaste, which is a little salty and bitter. This is labelled as simply a blended Campbeltown malt. Iain obtained it from the Loch Lomond group which owns Glen Scotia, and although technically a teaspooned Glen Scotia it’s quite likely this is actually 100% Glen Scotia and just traded as a blend for marketing reasons. It certainly tastes like Glen Scotia. It was sourced at 4 year of age (probably in a re-coopered bourbon hogshead) and then re-racked into port and oloroso octaves for another 4 years of finishing. Enjoyable enough, but even at 8 years I thought it was a bit young and loud. The tasting group was split on this one – many liked it a lot, but just as many thought it was merely OK. However it sold out on the night and is not available locally any more, but I wonder if that is just due to the magical word “Campbeltown” being on the label? “Above Average” : 82/100 (3.25 stars)