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

Glenrothes 1988 Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland - Speyside

Brand: Glenrothes 1988 (Archives)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 23 Years

ABV: 53.4 %

Colour: Pale Gold/Chardonnay

Nose: Sweet Barley, Warm Apfelstrudel, Oak, Spices, Oat Porridge, Vanilla, Lemon, Mandarin, Peach, Straw/Grass, light Sherry and a hint of White Chocolate. This is my first Glenrothes and I must say I find this specific expression a bit too Spicy. You have to be patient to find the nice Fruit Notes. Look for them near the rim of your Nosing Glass!

Palate: Sweet and Spicy with Pepper, Ginger, Sweet Malt, light Licorice, Herbs, Tea, Orange, Oak, light Sherry and Cooked Fruits.

Finish: Middle-Long, Sweet and Spicy at first and a little (too) Bitter perhaps towards the end with Nut-Casks, Almonds, Herbs, Grain, light Licorice, Tea and a sprinkle of Lemon. 

I added a bit of Water and Grains start to dominate the Nose with a combination of Breakfast Cereals, Sweet Malt and Oats. A bit of Honey pops up and the White Chocolate Note becomes clearer. The Spice is not that dominant anymore but I'm having difficulties in locating the Fruit. The Palate gets real Spicy with additional strong notes of Sugared Herbal Tea while the Licorice gets too strong on the Finish in my opinion. It's certainly worthwhile to experiment with a bit of Water as you can note the changes with each drop. 

Rating: 84

Nose:  21.5 - Taste:  21 - Finish: 20.5  - Overall: 21

General Remarks: Archives is the relatively young own label of Independent Whisky Bottler Whiskybase.com. This Glenrothes was distilled on the 6th of June 1988 and was bottled at Cask Strength on the 4th of January 2012. It matured in a Refill Sherry Hogshead with Cask # 7318. Only 80 bottles were reserved for Whiskybase. This whisky is non chill-filtered and non coloured. This 1988 expression is sold at around 110 US Dollars.The Glenrothes Distillery is located besides the Burn of Rothes. It was founded in 1878 and is nowadays owned by Berry Brothers and Rudd. The Glenrothes is an important component in Blends like Cutty Sark and The Famous Grouse.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: Although this is certainly not a bad Single Malt, it's too Spicy and Woody for me. I would have liked to see stronger notes of Fruits and Sherry to get more Balance. I will try to obtain some other expressions of this Distillery in the near future to get a better picture of the Glenrothes Distillery character.

Jan van den Ende                                                                  May 15, 2013

Burn of Rothes