Glen Scotia 1992 Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Campbeltown

Brand: Glen Scotia 1992 (Archives - 4th Release)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 20 Years

ABV: 50.4 %

Colour: Golden Hay

Nose: This Glen Scotia needs some time to fully present its Aromas but always remains rather subdued. At first I find light Peat/Smoke and Soot, Malt, Leather, Salted Butter and Toast, Rubber, Oak, Caramel, Grass, Heather, Vegetable tones and Pineapple. Later on some Apple and Nut (casks).I also get images of an old dusty library. Hints of Red Fruit and Milk Chocolate in the background. The Alcohol is nicely integrated.

Palate: This is not my favourite Flavour Profile I'm afraid. It's Herbal, slightly Bitter, Earthy, Rubbery and Dry. I find Charcoal, Tobacco, Leaves, Leather, Light Peat, Pepper, Nutmeg, Licorice, Tea, Salt, Oak, Caramel and a Maritime note I can't quite pin down.

Finish: Middle-Long, Earthy, Salty and Herbal with Grass, Leaves, Peat, slightly Bitter Herbs, Tobacco, Licorice, Salt and Nuts.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose becomes Creamy and less Vegetal with extra Peach and Honey. However, Palate and Finish don't benefit at all from the contact with the Water. On the contrary!

Rating: 82

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: The Glen Scotia Distillery was founded in 1832 and is located in Campbeltown on the Kintyre peninsular. It's one of the three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown along with Springbank and Glengyle. The current owner is a Glasgow based Blending House called Loch Lomond Distillery. Glen Scotia operates with only 5 employees and is one the most efficient in the business. Since 2013 the distillery produces 10, 12, 16, 18 and 21 OB's, all with an ABV of 46%.

The 1992 we are tasting today was distilled in February 1992 an was bottled at Cask Strength in May 2012. It matured in a Hogshead with Cask # 08/71 out of which 80 bottles were commercialised via the Independent Whisky Bottler Whiskybase in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Archives is their relatively young own label. This Single Malt is naturally coloured and not Chill-Filtered. It's still available at Whiskybase but only just. It costs around 110 US Dollars

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Conclusion: It's not a bad Single Malt but still I was glad I only had a small sample. I wouldn't fancy a whole bottle of this Glen Scotia. It's Edgy and Salty and therefore true to its Campbeltown origin. But it's also too Earthy, Dusty, Rubbery, Vegetal and Bitter for my taste. It reminded me of a Medicine every once in a while. Nice to have tried it but not a whisky I will come back to! 

Jan van den Ende                                                                October 5, 2013

The Whiskybase Shop Rotterdam