Glen Scotia has unveiled its latest expression, a 21-year-old single malt. The Campbeltown distillery will only release 2,500 bottles per year of the whisky.
Aged in a combination of refill bourbon barrels and refill American oak hogsheads, the Glen Scotia 21-Year-Old was then finished in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. The Oloroso sherry finish adds perfumed floral notes, creating a delicately aromatic dram while preserving the signature distillery character of rich fruits, hints of Atlantic sea spray, and subtle maritime nuances.
The liquid has been matured to bridge the gap between the Glen Scotia 18-Year-Old and its 25-year-old, which won ‘Best in Class’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021.
The new release comes presented in Glen Scotia’s premium bottle in deep hues of purple and gold. A metal coin entwined with the ‘GS’ logo is set into the shoulder of the bottle, which is presented in a solid display box ideal for collectors or gifting to someone special.
“Our new 21-year-old is a single malt whisky of exceptional character, and the ideal dram to celebrate the prevailing spirit of Campbeltown,” said Master Distiller and Distillery Manager Iain McAlister. “Being recognised as ‘Best in Show’ for the Glen Scotia 25-year-old was a hugely important moment in our history and an indication of how we have looked to bring the distillery into the modern age while not losing the authenticity of a great Campbeltown malt. We knew then that we wanted to create another special release for our fans around the world, and the 21-year-old is a middle sibling to the much-loved 18-year-old and the world’s best whisky.
“The Glen Scotia 21-year-old still has that wonderful interplay with the Oloroso sherry finishing cask, but with a shorter finishing time (six months) than the 18-year-old, which enables the underlying signature distillery character you get from the 25-year-old to really shine through proudly. We hope to be able to release a new batch each year.
“Like all good things, it has taken us a bit of time, but we are delighted with the result and can’t wait to see what people think. One of the things I am most grateful for at Glen Scotia is our fantastic and supportive fan base, which continues to grow around the world – it’s very humbling. We sincerely hope they like this latest edition to the Glen Scotia family.”
On the nose, the Scotch offers sweet perfumed oloroso, spiced red apple, and peppercorns with a soft signature Campbeltown aroma. The palate delivers baked red apples, plump raisins, a journey of cloves, star anise, cinnamon, and spice alongside soft creamy vanilla, toffee, and sea spray. The finish is long, complex, and incredibly balanced, with a lingering touch of sea salt and sherry dryness.
Bottled at 46% ABV, the Glen Scotia 21-Year-Old is available to buy from the Glen Scotia online store and worldwide through specialist retailers for £265 per bottle.
