Glen Scotia Victoriana Cask Strength Batch 001 (54.8%, OB, 2018)

• Category: Campbeltown single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: Glen Scotia distillery
• Bottling: OB
• ABV: 54.8%
• Cost: £69.95

What they say

GLEN SCOTIA VICTORIANA, CAMPBELTOWN WHISKY, INSPIRED BY VICTORIAN TIMES. CASK STRENGTH SINGLE MALT FOR WHISKY CONNOISSEURS.
OUR MASTER BLENDER HAND SELECTS THE CASKS FROM OUR RESERVE CELLAR, CHOSEN OF THEIR RARE CHARACTERISTICS AND EXCEPTIONAL MATURITY.

Each cask is chosen for its rare character and exceptional maturity. Finished in deep charred oak, the result is an exceptionally smooth single malt whisky whose aroma and flavour work in harmony. Bottled in the traditional way straight from the cask and without filtration, its subtle wood and vanilla flavour is enhanced by a full bodied spicy fruit aroma and mildly smokey aftertaste.

Official tasting notes:

• Nose: Dark again. An elegant nose with hints of oak driving the bouquet. Interesting creme brulee notes leading to generous caramelised fruits and finally polished oak.
• Palate: Sweet and concentrated start with some jammy blackcurrant fruitiness. A big mid palate. Typical tightening towards the back palate. Becomes more austere with water.
• Finish: Clean and initially sweet.The green bean, with cocoa characteristic.

What I say

Sampled at the Livingston Whisky Club Glen Scotia Tasting hosted by Loch Lomond Malts Ambassador Ibon Mendiguren.

Glen Scotia Victoriana Batch 001 (54.8% ABV) was constructed from 10% fully peated and 90% unpeated malt, matured for 12-17 years in a mixture of 70% heavily charred ex-bourbon and 30% ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. These have been vatted together and further matured for around 6 months in fresh ex-bourbon casks.

Whilst not exactly being the first batch (released 2015 at 51.5% ABV) this Batch 001 was a one-off release by Glen Scotia after Ibon explained the difficulties of labelling etc. for each release relating to its ABV/duty due. He suspects future Victoriana bottlings will adhere to a standard ABV.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Copper gold (11/20), rare, medium-fine tears, fine legs.
• Nose: Rich vanilla, new american oak/bourbon, spiced cinnamon, fruity apple and banana, hints of citrus zest.
• Taste: Sweet and creamy, medium bodied, vanilla cream, lemony oils, coastal with a hint of sea spray, salted caramel, bramble or blackcurrant and apple quite juicy and tart dark berries with a sprinkle of salt too.
• Finish: Long, new oak wood, caramel, more apple & blackcurrant and darker coffee and chocolate notes and a wisp of smoke.

Overall

Following the 18 year old, this one really stood out for me. Perhaps it was the extra ABV or the charred cask and PX influences? I don’t really know why but I loved this one, maybe it was just the return to more classic coastal Campbeltown flavours…?

Score 89/100

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