Glen Scotia flies out penultimate dram in five-part series
AWARD winning Campbeltown distillery Glen Scotia has unveiled its penultimate release in its Icons of Campbeltown Series with its fourth expression in the five-part series.
The Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4 is a limited edition 12 Year Old single malt whisky that pays homage to the mythical beast the Griffin which is said to have been a guardian of Campbeltown’s harbour, whisky and bold character.
The Icons of Campbeltown series pays homage to the town’s storied history and has been directly inspired by its carvings of different saints and beasts on Campbeltown’s 14th century market cross, which itself is shrouded in myth and lore.
Among these markings is the Griffin and, as the legend goes, the legendary creature was seen as a symbol of strength, vigilance and protection and kept watch high above the harbour, guarding Campbeltown’s most valued product, its whisky. In homage to this, the Griffin can be seen across the No.4 release’s packaging.
The expression itself has been finished in Vin Santo wine casks which has helped to bring a honeyed sweetness to the whisky, says Glen Scotia, with notes of dried apricots and sultana. The whisky builds on these sweet beginnings to deliver flavours of toasted almond and hazelnut to deliver a warmth and depth to the whisky, which is then finished with some gentle spices on the palate with Glen Scotia’s signature coastal character running throughout the tasting experience.
To mark the launch, Glen Scotia is also offering shoppers the chance to win a trip to Campbeltown when purchasing the new whisky via the distiller’s website. During this experience, the winner will meet with the Glen Scotia team, explore the distillery and taste the whisky in the very place where it was crafted.
Each bottle of Icons of Campbeltown No.4 comes bottled at batch strength 53.8% ABV and retails at £80 per 700ml bottle.
Ashley Smith, master blender at Glen Scotia, said: “Our small town has so many exceptional stories to tell, and The Icons of Campbeltown series brings this incredible folklore to life.
“The Griffin stood watch over Campbeltown for hundreds of years, and that’s exactly how I think of our distillery team, as the guardians of Glen Scotia’s whisky. Every cask that leaves here has been shaped by people protecting a character that has come to be loved all over the world, through skill built up over generations.
“For this release, I wanted a cask that would truly complement that character, so we finished the whisky in Vin Santo casks. They’ve brought a honeyed sweetness and dried fruit, with toasted almond and warming cinnamon on the finish, with our distinctive coastal salt character anchoring it all.”
