I’ve already seen some chatter online about this bottling – mainly around its rather fabulous name. Liquid-wise, this has spent 11 years in a 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel. Lightly Peated profile.
Nose: Opening leafily with sappy fresh wood, pine, bracken, moss and mulched leaves, this quickly reveals hospital floor cleaner and an array of ointments and treated surgical bandages. Supporting is an array of coastal aromas – seashell and rock pool minerality with some rich, buttery scallops and lobster. Water introduces a mezcal sharpness with agava, terpenes and lime.
Taste: Rather the hidden assassin – this explodes on the palate with dirty engine oil, coal dusty and medicinal, mineral smoke. There’s some tightly tart grapefruit and lemon zest to gift everything a lift, and plenty of tinctures and cream to reinforce the phenolic eruption. In the background, the woodiness discerned on the nose – leafy greens, undergrowth and damp soils.
Finish: Medium to long and mixing green vegetal smoke with potent industrial vapours.
This Glen Scotia is totally up my street. There’s a wonderful balance between comforting ‘greenness’ and out-and-out industrial oomph. When this is supported by such a captivating array of mineral, tart, citric and seaside nuances, you just can’t go wrong. Very easy to recommend.