Glen Scotia 1992 Malts of Scotland cask 429

This is my very first Glen Scotia, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I found that Glen Scotia operates by the grace (and in the shadow) of her big brother Springbank and is in dire need of investment. Recent photos of the distillery show that she’s quite run down. Operating only three months a year means the outturn is only 15% of the actual capacity of the distillery. Apart from Glen Scotia and Springbank, there is a third distillery in Campbeltown, Glengyle, that markets the whisky Kilkerran.

This Glen Scotia 1992 from the independent bottler Malts of Scotland has a huge sherry nose (no surprise, this is a sherry butt after all) with coffee beans, crème brulée, raisins and rubber. Reminds me a bit of the Glengoyne 1998 MoS that I tasted recently, but then peated. But there is also a scent there that makes me wince a little. Something dirty that reminds me of a dusty attic.

The attack is punchy and sweet with fruity overtones, a whiff of salt, loads of wood, but also dark chocolate and spice. Not bad, but the dusty attic props up here as well and makes me raise an eyebrow. Pity. I’m not sure I like this.

The finish is long and creamy with nuts.

I’m not complaining for my very first Glen Scotia, but I think Malts of Scotland didn’t succeed in selecting a great cask in this case. Or maybe it’s just me. This was my first Glen Scotia after all. I’ll let you know when I try another one from this distillery.

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