Some general thoughts about the new range: Although it is a good thing to have a more diverse (albeit smaller) range now, I am not feeling too happy about the fact that two out of three bottlings are now without an age statement. Add in the fact that all expressions are now colored and I am not that sure if this new range is a real improvement, at least on paper.

With regards to the Glen Scotia Victoriana: I like the addition of a cask strength version. But I am not sold on the idea of finishing the whisky ‘in deep charred oak’ (i.e. heavily burned out bourbon casks) after maturing it already in some sort of other bourbon casks. That sounds a bit like an overkill to me.

Facts

Glen Scotia Victoriana

Nose

Not bad, but needs time to open up. Vanilla, burned caramel and baked bananas with cinnamon. Polished wood and (not surprisingly) roasting flavors.

Taste

Very bitter. Tastes more like dark coffee than anything else. Charred oak as expected. Very dark chocolate with nuts. Gets spicier towards the end.

Finish

Very long. Dry, almost earthy. Very bitter again. Dark chocolate. More charred oak.

Overall

I could be nice and say that this expression is ‘straightforward’ but instead I am honest. To me, this expression is pretty bland and has not much to offer besides a heavy (charred) oak overload.

Score: 75 / 100

Some general thoughts about the new range: Although it is a good thing to have a more diverse (albeit smaller) range now, I am not feeling too happy about the fact that two out of three bottlings are now without an age statement. Add in the fact that all expressions are now colored and I am not that sure if this new range is a real improvement, at least on paper.

With regards to the Glen Scotia 15 Years Old: The 16 Years Old was my least favorite bottling from the old range. Therefore I am all the more eager to tryout the new 15 Years Old. Although I can’t wrap my head around the fact that this expression (albeit one year older) is now colored… Are the used casks that much worse now?

Facts

Glen Scotia 15 Years Old

Nose

Cloudy apple juice, maybe even cider? Vanilla, pears and bananas. Fruit pie. Brown sugar and lemons – almost a bit like a caipirinha without the rum. Overall very multifaceted and engaging.

Taste

Strong and very spicy with a hard to identify fruitiness… maybe apples and pears with a hint of berries? Really hard to tell. Gets really bitter. Oak, espresso, walnuts and dark chocolate.

Finish

Medium. Dry and bitter. Espresso, dark chocolate and nuts.

Overall

The good thing first. The nose is well done. Seriously, I really like it. But I am all the more disappointed with rest. Taste and finish are just way, way too bitter for my liking. Definitively not my definition of “smooth” as stated on the label.

Score: 76 / 100

Some general thoughts about the new range: Although it is a good thing to have a more diverse (albeit smaller) range now, I am not feeling too happy about the fact that two out of three bottlings are now without an age statement. Add in the fact that all expressions are now colored and I am not that sure if this new range is a real improvement, at least on paper.

With regards to the Glen Scotia Double Cask: Finally something different than the same old ex-bourbon cask maturation! Although I would have probably liked a ‘full’ sherry cask maturation better.

Facts

Glen Scotia Double Cask

Nose

Full-flavored. Very fruity (fruit sugar!) and very sweet. A very strong note of sour cherries and fresh pressed cherry juice. Also in the mix: red apples and sultanas, flattered by hints of vanilla oak. All this is rounded off by the smell of burned dough. 

Taste

The entrance is strong and spicy, yet somewhat sweet. Vanilla sticks and caramel chocolate. The oak comes more forward now, followed by coffee beans.

Finish

Medium, spicy and rather strong. Coffee beans. Hints of vanilla.

Overall

A nice entry level expression. The bourbon and sherry casks work well together.

Score: 85 / 100

So, time to compare! I will review the old range today and on Thursday the new one.

Facts

Glen Scotia 21 Years Old

Nose

Dust, yeast and grass. A lot of lemons. Some mandarins accompanied by floral honey and china spices. Peat and medicine. There is also a pretty strong touch of floral perfume.

Taste

Again lots of lemons. Oak and vanilla. Nuts. Gets spicier towards the end with pepper and ginger.

Finish

Long. Dry, bitter and slightly peppery. Milk chocolate.

Overall

Somewhat different than the 18 Years Old but not a real improvement.

Score: 84 / 100

So, time to compare! I will review the old range today and on Thursday the new one.

Facts

Glen Scotia 18 Years Old

Nose

Furnish polisher. Vanilla cookies, lemons and peaches. Followed by floral honey. A whiff of peaty ash in the back.

Taste

Thick and syrupy. Cinnamon, vanilla and chewy caramel. Followed by peach marmalade and nuts. A bit peppery and peaty around the edges.

Finish

Long. Spicy oak and apple pie with cinnamon.

Overall

While not groundbreaking by any stretch of imagination, its at least nicely balanced compared to the younger ones.

Score: 84 / 100

So, time to compare! I will review the old range today and on Thursday the new one.

Facts

Glen Scotia 16 Years Old

Nose

Musty and dusty. Vanilla honey, oranges, lemons, cacao butter and cookie dough. A bit of peat. Seaweed, coastal and mineral. A bit all over the place but not exactly unpleasant.

Taste

Cinnamon and vanilla contrasted by salty licorice. Hints of lemon and peaty ash. Gets more bitter towards towards the end.

Finish

Medium with a peppery heat. Some salt. Again a bit bitter.

Overall

For sure more complex than its two younger siblings but not necessarily in a good way.

Score: 76 / 100

So, time to compare! I will review the old range today and on Thursday the new one.

Facts

Glen Scotia 12 Years Old

Nose

Dry and slightly earthy. Also a bit peaty. Green apples, peaches and mandarins. Very fine hints of salt, but less than the 10 Years Old had.

Taste

Dry, creamy and oily. Also pretty waxy – a bit like licking a candle. A lot of peppery oak followed by floral honey. Then peaches, oranges and some nuts. A bit of peat in the back.

Finish

Medium and spicy. Oak, bitter chocolate and nuts.

Overall

Interesting to say the least! Just a bit too unbalanced overall.

Score: 78 / 100

So, time to compare! I will review the old range today and on Thursday the new one.

Facts

Glen Scotia 10 Years Old

Nose

Pretty youthful in the nose – this single malt doesn’t hide its (young) age. Very sweet. Limes, oranges and unripe pineapples. Apple crumble with vanilla and caramel. Almost a bit peaty with a slightly maritime touch, which I like.

Taste

Buttery, dry and again very sweet. Vanilla, caramel, green apples, pears and kiwis. Also some nuts. Some hints of peat in the back.

Finish

Medium. Drying and a bit salty.

Overall

Very sweet and easy to sip, but a few more years of maturation wouldn’t have hurt. I like the combination of ex-bourbon and slightly maritime notes though.

Score: 81 / 100