This time we are reviewing two drams from @GlenScotia, limited editions, one bottled selected by the master distiller Iain McAlister for sale at the distillery shop and one selected by the Friends of The Ardshiel for sale at the Hotel in Campbeltown - the whiskiest place in the world!
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| Picture: Glen Scotia |
| Dram | 2009 Single Cask #117 | 2013 Single Cask #144 |
| Characteristics | 58.3% ABV D: '09, B: Apr '18, 9yo | 57.8% ABV D: '13, B: Apr '19, 6yo |
| Distillery info | This Glen Scotia 2009 is medium peated. Peat whiffs throughout with an intriguing juxtaposition off salty brine and lemon combo, complemented with payers of ripe banana and dark chocolate. Distillery Exclusive. | Distinct Campbeltown Glen Scotia confluence! Fantastic sweet peat nose, sea borne exotic fruits on the palate, peat infused with all the embacing oiliness and a subtle wind dispersed salinity. Chosen by the Friends of The Ardshiel 236 bottles. |
| My thoughts: | ||
| Appearance |  | |
| Bronze gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line before falling as slow thick legs. | Pale gold in the glass, swirls bead up and fall as slow thick legs. | |
| Nose | Peat smoke, seaside breeze, dried fruit and dunnage warehouse - almost as if it's a sherry cask - interesting. Little hints of banoffee pie and chocolate custard from school days! | A slap in the face by some Campbeltown seaweed, a little smoke and some dried pineapple covered in icing sugar. |
| Palate | Thick oily arrival, loads of tropical fruit, some dried fruit and a kick of peppery spice. A few more sips reveal a sour citrus note, loads of sea breeze and a thin blanket of smoke. There's a dryness to this dram like a chewy dry red wine - by the end of the dram all moisture has been sucked from your mouth! | Again thick and oily on the palate, the peat and salt are more prominent on this one - vying for control of your taste buds! I think the peat wins but only just. There's more of the dried pineapple from the nose adding a little sweetness and a little spice but not as much at the #117. |
| Finish | A lingering sweet dry warmth, there's a little sweetness / spiciness thing going on but the peat smoke and sea salt dominate. | This time the smoke dominates - long and lingering, a little spice and the seaweed is back - Yummy! |
| Overall | If it didn't say on the bottle I'd have sworn by the colour and taste that #117 had been matured or at least finished in a wine or sherry cask - interesting! The #144 was also ex-bourbon matured but there's not a lot of vanilla or spice. I'm guessing it's down to them both being quiet young. They both share the Glen Scotia maritime salt and peat smoke notes but to different degrees - the #117 has more salt, the #144 more smoke. The extra 3 years in the cask has given the #117 a little more spice too. Both are excellent drams but I think I'd choose the #144 over the #117. | |
On our recent trip to Campbeltown we ate at The Ardshiel Hotel, saw the Cask #144 for sale and bought a couple of bottles....
Many thanks to @jwbassman_ for the #117 drample!
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