Glen Scotia Distillery was a powerhouse whisky producer in Scotland’s Campbeltown region, once a booming center of whisky production for most of the 19th century with over 30 distilleries. Today, it is one of only three distilleries on that tiny, west coast peninsula to have survived the ups and downs of the Scotch industry. Under the ownership of Loch Lomond Group since the 1990s, it has remained somewhat under the radar, even during the recent boom times, with quality offerings like Double Barrel and Victoriana seeing only limited availability in the American market. But that is apparently changing now.

In partnership with distributors Foley Family Wines & Spirits, Glen Scotia refocused in 2025 for wider distribution stateside with a particular emphasis on their age-stated core lineup. We received samples of three different expressions, the most readily available from the age-stated core portfolio. Thoughts follow.

Glen Scotia 10 Years Old Review

Distilled from unpeated malt and aged 10 years in first fill ex-bourbon casks. The nose is honeyed and grain-forward but not doughy or undercooked like some younger single malts. It’s a gentle but still fulsome aroma accented with sweet malts, shortbread cookies, and a little Honey Nut Cheerios. As it opens, a subtle citrus quality develops – first dried peels then more lemon oil – with undertones of salted caramel, a bit of a nod to the ocean air of the Campbeltown coast.

The palate is hefty for such a modest abv, with a silky entry of barley sugar and light maple syrup followed by soft fruit notes on the midpalate – some pulpy orange slice and fresh cut honeydew. The midpalate reveals vanilla pudding and pineapple cake. Those sweeter elements are balanced by a peppery warmth, which is again a bit surprising given the alcohol content. Ditto the generous finish accented with a little candied ginger and soft wood spice. Easygoing but still impressively flavorful and complex, this youngster from Glen Scotia is not the shrinking violet the basic label might suggest. It’s a great daily sipper and an impressive first course from the storied Campbeltown distillery. 80 proof. A- / $70 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

Glen Scotia 15 Years Old Review

Distilled from unpeated malt and aged 15 years in a mix of first fill ex-bourbon casks and re-fill American oak casks. It’s every bit as charming as the 10-year-old but with more dimension and depth to it. The aroma is more wood driven with top notes of caramelized sugar and warm baking spice that nicely compliment a generous, fruity foundation of baked apple, lemon zest, and candied ginger. The malts present with less of a cereal quality and more of a warm bread character, yeasty and sweet. As it opens, subtle maritime undertones build, delivering a little salted melon and savory, apple-filled pastry.

The palate shows even more surprising heft than the 10-year-old with a rich entry of buttery pear tart, grated nutmeg, clove, and a little tobacco. An oily mouthfeel adds some weight, but it’s not syrupy or overly sweet. Instead, this whisky seems to get more piquant across the sip, adding peach rings and dried banana before dissolving into a generous finish of orange blossom honey, blackberry, and warm barrel spice. A clear step up from the entry-level 10 year old offering with lots to admire. 92 proof. A / $110 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

Glen Scotia 18 Years Old Review

Distilled from unpeated malt and aged 17 years in a mix of first fill ex-bourbon barrels and re-fill American oak hogsheads before a 12-month finish in first-fill oloroso casks. The unusually light color suggests what the nose and palate soon reveal: the sherry character is rather subdued, despite considerable finishing time. In fact, compared to the 15-year-old and even the lower abv 10-year-old, everything about this single malt is a bit more subdued. The nose is inviting with perhaps the boldest evidence of sherry, blooming slowly with notes of almond cake, sultanas, butter pecan ice cream, and subtler oatmeal cookie and honeycomb. In addition to the classic Glen Scotia sea salt, there’s a waxiness to the aroma that adds some welcome texture to an otherwise light bouquet.

The palate is similarly delicate and airy, delivering early notes of toffee and caramel sauce that thin somewhat across the sip. On the midpalate, baked peaches and warm pie spice add a bit of sweet and peppery energy. What it lacks in complexity it attempts to make up for with a silky, elegant mouthfeel that makes for effortless sipping. The finish shows glimmers of a more memorable dram with fading notes of nougatine, cocoa, and currants; the sherry cask getting its act together just a little late in the game. It’s definitely the easiest sipper of the younger Glen Scotias, but it doesn’t deliver nearly the same depth of flavor. 92 proof. B+ / $190 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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