Glen Scotia 15 Year Old

I skipped Day 10 of the calendar as it was another one of my go-tos: Laphroaig 10 Year Old (which I enjoyed side-by-side with a cask-strength Cairdeas Triple Wood - both of those were reviewed before). Today we are in Campbeltown with the 15 Year Old Glen Scotia, matured in American oak.

The colour is a burnt copper. On the nose is a lot of vanilla and soft caramel with oak, dark raisin, allspice, baked pear, blood orange, dark honey and ginger. Quite rich and fruity, with the subtlest hint of smoke - and smokier with water. Enormous complexity.

On the palate there is some peat with peach, sea salt and cinnamon. Mouth-drying. Quite oaky but it never overwhelms the fruit and spice. Almost vegetal, especially with water, which also adds more sea salt. Absolutely delicious, with fantastic interplay between all of these seemingly disparate elements.

The finish is slightly peppery with brine, creamy oak and nutmeg. I used to have a bottle of the Double Cask which I really enjoyed, but this is stunning stuff - huge complexity between the brine, fruit, spice and oak but all perfectly integrated into a cohesive whole. And although only 46% it can take a lot of water and keep changing and developing without being watered down. Rich and earthy, this is a fantastic dram.

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