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Glen Scotia debuts its oldest Scotch

Campbeltown-based distillery Glen Scotia has released a 46-year-old single malt as its oldest whisky to date.

Glen Scotia 46 Year Old
Glen Scotia 46 Year Old is the brand’s oldest whisky to date

The 46-year-old expression was originally laid down in refill Bourbon casks and matured for 36 years before being re-casked in first-fill Bourbon barrels in 2011. It was finished for four years in oloroso Sherry butts.

Glen Scotia’s distillery manager and master distiller, Iain McAlister, said: “The release of the Glen Scotia 46-year-old is a toast and a thank you to the craft of all those who have come before us.

“It is an honour to pick up the mantle for the distillery and be able to unveil these rare few bottles, which are so full of the classic Glen Scotia and Campbeltown character.”

The single malt is said to have tropical fruits, subtle maritime nuances and creamy notes that encapsulate Glen Scotia’s signature character.

To mark its release, Glen Scotia has partnered with whisky writer Dave Broom to recount the story behind the whisky in a short film, shot at the distillery’s dunnage with McAlister.

Broom said: “The whisky has the tropical fruit funkiness which only comes from long ageing in refill casks – evidence of that original intention of using it while young, filled with those Glen Scotia oils and salinity.

“The subtle, sweet, toffee elements mid-palate reflect the change in direction when mature, elegant single malts were desired, while the rich sultana-like fruit harks back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Sherry casks were the preferred choice for Campbeltown’s whiskies.”

The whisky comes in a bottle made by Glencairn, along with a heavy metal stopper and a handmade oak display case. Only 150 bottles have been released worldwide.

Bottled at 41.7% ABV, the 46-year-old whisky is priced at RRP £6,750 (US$8,338) per 700ml bottle. It is available for purchase from the Glen Scotia website and specialist retailers.

In April last year, the brand released a 10-year-old expression to celebrate the 2021 Campbeltown Malts Festival.

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