Glen Scotia debuts series with 50YO whisky
Loch Lomond Group-owned distillery Glen Scotia has unveiled a 50-year-old as the first edition in its new Elements of Campbeltown collection.
The Elements of Campbeltown collection is inspired by the Celtic five-fold knot, which symbolises the harmony of air, water, fire, and earth. The four elements interconnect to form the fifth circle in the centre, representing the spirit.
Each chapter of the collection showcases a different element and explores its influence on the spirit, drawing from Glen Scotia’s oldest maturing casks.
The new elements-inspired collection makes its debut with a 50-year-old single malt, Glen Scotia’s oldest whisky release to date.
Called Release Number One: Air, the expression is said to capture Campbeltown’s maritime climate and the subtle nuances it imparts to the whisky over time.
The whisky was distilled in 1973, aged in refill American oak hogsheads for five decades, and bottled at a natural cask strength of 42.3% ABV in 2024.
The 50-year-old whisky displays aromas of flaked almonds, vanilla fudge, salt crystals, seaweed, and fresh glazed apple tart. The palate offers a sweet and salty profile, complemented by notes of white pepper, powdered ginger, and coconut on the finish.
Michael Henry, master blender of Loch Lomond Group, said: “Responsibility for whisky of this age, where the passage of time shapes and moulds the character of the spirit, is a privilege.
“With the first release in this milestone collection for Glen Scotia, I want to give people the opportunity to experience our distillery character at this remarkable age and showcase how time has shaped it.”
Henry continued: “Matured exclusively in American oak, with its more subtle, supportive cask influence, the character shines through. Bringing this whisky to its optimum condition has been through knowing the character of the spirit, its interplay with the wood and thoughtful cask management, with a vision already laid down for future releases that will bring people on an incredible journey.”
Artistic partnership
To celebrate the release, Glen Scotia has teamed up with British contemporary artist Gina Parr to create a unique piece of art that captures the essence of ‘air’ in the distillery’s dunnage warehouse.
The artist took inspiration from Campbeltown’s coastal air and the distillery’s distilling process to create an oil painting that adorns the cabinet doors, concealing each Glencairn-made decanter.
Parr said: “Glen Scotia 50-year-old started life in the same year I embarked on my creative journey. For me, this beautifully matured whisky mirrors my art practice – rooted in history, shaped by dedication, and inspired by nature and the elements, which are always sensory and deeply emotive.
“I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to collaborate with Glen Scotia for this very special release.”
Limited to 100 individually numbered crystal decanters worldwide, Glen Scotia Elements of Campbeltown Release Number One: Air has a recommended retail price of £35,000 (US$46,500).
The Glen Scotia’s oldest single malt to date will be available directly from the distillery and in specialist retailers starting in May 2025.
The Campbeltown-based distillery has been building up to release a 50-year-old whisky for years with a 46-year-old single malt released in 2022 and a 48-year-old in 2023.
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