Glen Scotia 2021 Seasonal Release - Heavily Charred & Oloroso Casks

Following on from last year's 11yo Sherry Double, Glen Scotia have released the 2nd of their Autumn / Winter Seasonal Releases - this time a 12yo finished in Heavily Charred and Oloroso casks.

I wasn't keen on the Sherry Double - let's see what this one is like...

This release is part of Glen Scotia's second annual releases, like the Summer festival releases, which are batch (or limited) release, cask strength, NCF and natural colour. Whilst the Festival release will normally be peated this second Autumn / Winter release is always going to be unpeated or may introduce a low level to show a different aspect of the distillery character.

This 2021 release, the Heavily Charred & Oloroso Casks, is from 2009 distillations using 95% unpeated spirit matured in first fill ex-bourbon casks and American Oak hogsheads for 11 years. The casks were then married together for finishing in a combination of 35% Heavily Charred American Oak barrels and 65% 1st fill Oloroso hogsheads for 12 months. Finally the casks were again married together for 2 months in refill casks prior to bottling at cask strength, no colouring and no chill filtering.

Casks are charred at Loch Lomond Group's Cooperage

                

Distillery notes:

Glen Scotia's signature maritime sea spray can be detected on the nose, while the combination of different casks brings a seasonal warmth and spice to this inviting dram, balanced by light floral and orange citrus notes and the sweetness of melted brown sugar. The satisfyingly long nutty finish leaves lingering flavours of pear and dried peel.

 

As we head towards the winter months, this warm and spicy dram is the perfect way to toast good friends or sip alongside festive Christmas desserts and treats. 

Nose:  Toffee, apple, sea spray, soft vanilla and salted caramel

Taste:  Creamy vanilla and brown sugar are balanced by warm spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. 

Finish:  Long, nutty finish with dried orange peel and gentle warming spice.

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Let's see what it's like....

Info: 12yo, 54.7% ABV, Natural colour, NCF, c15,000 bottles

Appearance: Dark gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line of beads which take an age to fall as slow thin oily legs.

Nose: Toffee, butterscotch, fudge, salted caramel and vanilla. The ABV is noticeable when first poured but dissipates with a little time and air. There's some sea breeze in here too. Toffee apples and milk chocolate covered cherries vie with dried fruit and lemon zest.

Palate: Thick oily arrival, the toffee from the nose is here along with a big bite of cinnamon spice. The Campbeltown DNA is here - maritime salinity, mouth coating oiliness, tropical fruit and spice but there's also dried fruit, Christmas spices and some berry notes. Dried pineapple and icing sugar offer some dry sweetness, strawberry jam and crushed cherries the berry notes, cinnamon and nutmeg the spices. You'd swear it was medium peated, the heavily charred casks giving the impression of smoke. There's a lingering citrus note, slightly sour, as the liquid disappears leaving the mouth dry asking for another sip.

Finish: Long lingering toffee, Christmas spices and dried fruit.

Overall: OK, straight off the bat I love it, "what a surprise" you might think, but remember I didn't like the last Seasonal Release "Sherry Double". 

This is completely different, you can tell it's a Glen Scotia from the oily legs, maritime nose and salty, tropical palate, I think the Sherry Double lost that DNA. But this dram gives more - it's not a sherry bomb by any means but the sherry influence is noticeable - dried fruit, berry jam and spices. The heavily charred casks will make you think peat and that's a great thing to have in a Glen Scotia. Put these altogether and you have a complex dram that needs a little time in the glass, I'm sure it will matured well in the bottle as the liquid level drops - Glen Scotia bottles are well known for their evaporation problems!

"Christmas in a glass" - no it's not really that but a glass for Christmas Time and you'd be spot on - warming, spicy, fruity, Campbeltown maritime influence and did I mention the toffee? Perfect for a cold winter's night! Sip slowly in a comfy chair with a mince pie, put your feet up you're ready for winter!