Glen Scotia Unlocked Release No. 2

Following hot on the heels of the first release in December @GlenScotiaMalts  have released a second Unlocked bottling exclusively to it's newsletter subscribers:

Lets see what it's like:

Following on from Unlocked #1 a 9yo Tawny Port finished bottling, my thoughts here, Glen Scotia have released a 5yo FF Bourbon.

"Release No.2 is the latest in our exclusive Glen Scotia Unlocked series, available only to Unlocked members. 

Matured entirely in a first-fill bourbon cask, this 5-year-old Single Malt showcases the signature Glen Scotia style, allowing the distillate’s character to shine. Limited to just 249 bottles, it bursts with Campbeltown flavour—fresh pear and apple lead into creamy coconut sweetness, all wrapped in our unmistakable maritime salinity."

Let see what the distillery say:

                

Distillery notes: 

 

Release No.2 showcases our distillery character and signature style through first-fill bourbon maturation—the ideal cask choice for a younger whisky. These casks impart layers of sweet vanilla and toffee, complementing the fruity distillate from our long fermentation process. Crisp apple and pear on the nose evolve into exotic coconut on the palate, with a sweet almond character on the finish. The ever-present maritime influence creates a robust and full-bodied profile.

Tasting Notes: Sea-salted caramel and poached pears are followed by ripe peach and blossom honey. There is some fresh coconut and vanilla oak before green apple and delicate toasted almond to finish.

Info: 2015 First Fill Bourbon Hogshead (Cask #872), bottled at 5yo at 58.5% ABV, Natural colour, NCF, 249 bottles.

So this release was bottled in 2021 but has taken until now to be released:

"In 2021, Master Blender Ashley Smith bottled Cask 872 when it hit it’s sweet spot, but the release was postponed due to the COVID lockdowns. Ashley kept it by, waiting for the perfect moment to share it with whisky lovers."

I'm guessing the Customer couldn't take delivery when COVID struck and subsequently cancelled the order, their loss, our gain!

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

My thoughts:

Appearance: Pale gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line which bead up and fall as slow thin oily legs.

Nose: Dunnage funk, orchard fruit and a good helping of warming seaweed. There's baked pears stuffed with dried fruit and drizzled in a little honey, hints of lemon zest and a little gooseberry.

Palate: Thick, sweet, oily arrival, the fruit has turned all tropical: kiwi, melon and a little pineapple. Lots of salinity and immediately drying. Ginger spice and desiccated coconut left on the tongue as the liquid disappears. There's a little honey, toffee, a little marzipan and hints of vanilla with subsequent sips. This is very drying! Hints of liquorice, lemon zest and the ever present salinity - yummy!

 

Finish: Lingering salinity, tropical fruit and ginger spice.

 

Overall: It's young and youthful but a good example of 'plain' unpeated Glen Scotia spirit matured in fresh first fill bourbon. The robust spirit shining through, no peat, no sherry, no wine, no port. I've not seen any photos of this bottle open which is a great pity - Iain and the team made it to be drunk - drink it!