Review 146: Glen Scotia 1992-2012 Archives

Glen Scotia is a much less well known Campbeltown malt. Most everyone has heard of Springbank, and a growing number of people have heard of Glengyle, which was rebuilt and restarted by Springbank eight or nine years ago. Glen Scotia, it seems, has maintained a much lower profile. At least, it appears that was from my perspective in the US. I don't think I've ever seen a Glen Scotia, distillery or independently bottled, on shelves here. That should make this a fun one to review, though! From the title, you can see that this another whisky from independent bottler Archives. Unfortunately, this is last Archives whisky I have to review for a while. For those interested, this is from hogshead #08/71.

Review 146: Glen Scotia 1992-2012 Archives

Color: Amber +0

ABV: 50.4%

Aroma Neat:
Black Liquorice, Chocolate Shavings, Vanilla Fudge, Boiled Fruits/Fruitcake, Black Pudding (slightly), Malt Barley Flour (dusty), Nuts in Caramel, Burnt/Carbonized Peat, Honeycomb, Puffed Grains/Breakfast Cereal, Dried Mango/Pineapple.

This is a really bizarre one to me. At first, big notes of black liquorice and chocolate dominate, but eventually give up some terrain to honeyed grain and even some dried tropical fruits. A surprising blend of aromas!

Aroma Water:
Smoked Heather Honey, Dried Mango, Pineapple, Pulpy Apple Juice (slightly), Thick Vanilla Fudge, Waxy Malt Barley, Barrel Char/Fireplace Cinders, Chewy Black Liquorice, Overripe Strawberries, Light Peat, Marmite.

Fruitier and brighter than neat, though dark whips of ash and liquorice remain. By the way, the liquorice I'm talking about is the soft, homemade style, not that hard stuff that Twizzlers and other other big companies churn out.

Taste Neat:
Ashy/Sooty Honey (very), Fireplace Cinders, Salty Tar/Marmite, Bog Peat, Decomposing Oak, Chocolate/Cola, Boiled Fruits.

Dark and very ashy, but with an underlying honeyed sweetness that keeps things palatable. Certainly a salty dram, like its Campbeltown compatriot Springbank.

Taste Water:
Ashy Barrel Char, Paraffin Wax, Roasted Malt, Extra-Salty Marmite/Tar, Ashtrays/Fireplaces, Musty Peat,
Honeyed/Toasted Oak, Black Liquorice, Chocolate/Cola, Barley Malt, Strawberries/Sherry.

Still pretty dirty, burnt, and ashy as it was neat. The flavors have a little more room to breathe now.

Finish:
Black Liquorice, Black Pudding, Heavily Charred Oak, Bitter Barley/Flour (slightly), Tar/Soy Sauce.

Pretty long lasting finish, which exhibits all of the burnt dirtiness of the palate, but is perhaps even saltier.

Conclusion:
Original, somewhat confusing nose with liquorice, char, and fruit.

Burnt, ashy, and rather salty palate with underlying honey holding everything together.

Salty and complex finish, which stick around for a while.

Rating: 84/100

This Glen Scotia is very unique whisky. In complete honestly, when I first opened this I hated it. After occasional tastes over a few months, I finally got used what this whisky was presenting me with. Now, I like it because of how singular and unusual it is. Really enjoyable whisky, but the learning curve is steep!

Josh