Glen Scotia 45 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

let’s begin

A rare bottling of a very old Campbeltown malt – it doesn’t get much more exclusive than this.

On a cold winter’s day...

That’s how the story of the Glen Scotia 45 Year Old Single Malt Scotch begins. The malt was first distilled on December 23^rd 1973 when it was poured into refill bourbon barrels. It would spend the next three decades in there, slowly becoming one of the best malts ever created by the distillery.

It stayed in those barrels until 2011, when it was removed and placed into first fill bourbon casks. Then for the next seven years, it soaked up all the bourbon-y goodness in those barrels.

It wasn’t until 2019 that the malt was seen again, when it was taken out to be bottled. Those 45 years have done wonders for the liquid and it is smooth and sweet, with plenty of spice and vanilla oak flavours.

Campbeltown Legend

Not only does its age mark it out as one of the most exciting malts of 2019, but the fact that it is from one of the last remaining distilleries in Campbeltown as well.

Campbeltown used to be capital of whisky in Scotland, but after many of the distilleries shut down, it soon became one of the smallest areas of production. In fact, where it was once regarded as a whisky patch in itself, it no longer appears on the majority of whisky maps.

But Glen Scotia is one of those surviving distilleries (as well as Springbank and Glengyle). This 45 year old is a testament to the endurance of Campbeltown and the great malt that is made there.

Tasting notes for the Glen Scotia 45 Year Old

Bottle cost: £3,800

The nose begins with big seaside and wooded notes. You can really taste the sea air and oak casks. There is a zesty exotic fruit flavour, full of pineapple and mangoes. This is coupled with a sweet vanilla and floral note.

The palate is delicate and well rounded. Caramel, more vanilla and heaps of oak wood are joined by cherry blossom, pineapple and oranges. It is oily on the mouth feel, with hints of salt to add a bit of texture against the sweetness.

The finish rounds off with more oak wood, citrus fruits and caramel. It is sweet but with the right amount of lemon zest.

This is a wonderful malt with all the best Campbeltown flavours, but snap it up quick as it’s selling fast!

What do you think of malts with big age statements like the Glen Scotia 45 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky? Tell us in the comments!

Tags: Glen ScotiaGlen Scotia 45 Year OldScotch WhiskySingle Malt

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.