Glen Scotia Embraces Peat in a New Whisky Series

Saturday, 29 November 2025 at 07:02

The Glen Scotia distillery in Campbeltown has unveiled new whisky crafted for smoke lovers. The Classic Series introduces five new single cask whiskies with rare peating.

Glen Scotia typically produces a funky, fruity spirit with no peat in sight. But for a few weeks each year, they make an exception. The stills run peated spirit, yielding a distinctly smoky whisky.

This year, that has resulted in the Glen Scotia Classic Series No. 1. The range totals five single cask bottlings, two of which were finished in special casks (PX and red wine).

Which whiskies are in the Glen Scotia Classic Series No. 1?

Vintage 2014 Heavily Peated

Vintage 2011 Medium Peated

Vintage 2016 Heavily Peated

Vintage 2017 PX Finish

Vintage 2017 Red Wine Finish

The series channels the distillery’s classic Victorian style, with the rare peated stocks stepping into the spotlight. For this release, Iain McAlister, then Glen Scotia’s master distiller, selected special casks.

Not every whisky in the range is peated. Only three bottlings carry unmistakable peat smoke, while the other two deliver a powerful cask finish.

What are the tasting notes?

Glen Scotia notes that the peated whiskies marry the distillery’s maritime character with intense smoke, layered with warming spice. All whiskies are bottled at natural colour and at cask strength.

Below are the tasting notes for each bottle along with the price:

Vintage 2014 Heavily Peated – RRP: 99.90

Lively tropical mango and juicy yellow plums dusted with icing sugar and toasted cinnamon. Creamy vanilla fudge over a layer of rolling tobacco, wisps of smoke, and a complex minerality.

Vintage 2011 Medium Peated – RRP: 99.90

Honey-roasted cashews and campfire-roasted chestnuts with sea salt flakes. Followed by stewed pears and freshly whipped cream. Then notes of smoked bacon, earthy cocoa nibs, and warming oak spices.

Vintage 2016 Heavily Peated – RRP: 99.90

Tinned pineapple and lime liqueur followed by campfire smoke and briny iodine. Then shortbread, vanilla crème, and warming oak spice.

Vintage 2017 PX Finish – RRP: 92.90

Juicy raisins with baked red apple and cinnamon. Also candied citrus peel with dates, oak, and honey.

Vintage 2017 Red Wine Finish – RRP: 92.90

Notes of salted caramel, milk chocolate, frozen raspberries, and sweet almond biscuits. Also bramble and blueberry with fresh orange zest, followed by warming oak spice.

Where can you buy the Glen Scotia Classic Collection No. 1?

Glen Scotia’s new whiskies are being released in limited quantities. The exact retail locations haven’t been disclosed, though they will be available at the distillery.