Glen Scotia Victoriana Review: An Unveiled Cask Strength Whisky

Glen Scotia is one of the three currently functional distilleries in Campbeltown and the only one not in the hands of the Mitchell family. Since its origins in 1832, this spirit producer has faced a stormy history. This changed in 1994 when the Loch Lomond Group took over. Glen Scotia continues to capture the hearts of whisky aficionados, surprising us annually with their delightful core range, exciting seasonal releases, and unique festival editions.

The bottle we sample today, Victoriana, pays homage to the Victorian era when whiskies from Campbeltown enjoyed their heyday. It provides a modern interpretation of the distinctive Campbeltown style of the late 19th century. The packaging and bottle show no age statement, and the spirit is bottled with a cask strength of 54.2% alcohol. The colour of the drink is natural, without any additives, and it is not chill-filtered.

This bottle arrives in a dark green package with golden letters, bearing the mark of prestige and luxury. The distillery refers to this Victoriana as a classic Campbeltown malt and describes the spirit's profile as elegant and rich.

This piques your interest even before you pour a single drop into the glass. Both the box and the label mention that the whisky has undergone finishing in deeply charred oak barrels.

How does this manner of finishing shape the flavour? We can no longer contain our curiosity and are eager to experience the aroma and taste of this Glen Scotia Victoriana.

The words on the packaging and bottle were chosen wisely as a sweet, floral aroma entices your senses when the cork is popped. We smell dark fruits, slightly overbaked brownies, a hint of sherry and damp wood.

A whiff of barbecue smoke seems to waft in from far away. The tears on the glass slowly slip down, suggesting a potent continuation of this subtle nose in the taste.

The aroma of this whisky reminds us of the style of cask strength whiskies available in the 90s. Contrasting the brief notes on Glen Scotia's website, we detect a variety of fragrances. Hints of honey, caramel and forest fruits present themselves. This dram offers a soft caress to the nostrils, beckoning you to take a sip.

What strikes us at the first sip is the whisky's softness despite its high alcohol content. The spirit has a full, creamy texture and the first words that come to mind are patisserie cream and custard cake with vanilla.

Further tasting reveals cocoa powder, charcoal, blueberries and mild spice market nuts. Upon swallowing, you can clearly perceive the tannins from the oak wood and the 54.2% alcohol, as the creamy mouthfeel is replaced by a substantial dry sensation.

Adding some water dials down the dessert-like atmosphere on the gums and in the cheeks, offers some room for citrus fruits, oak, cinnamon, and white pepper. The finish is medium-length with a maritime note, cherry compote and dark chocolate. The flavours that linger on the tongue partially make up for the initial dry mouthfeel.

With its elegant and rich aroma, this Glen Scotia Victoriana scores highly. The first mouth-moment is very pleasant, but unfortunately, it doesn't last long. The dry mouthfeel is somewhat of a setback after a creamy start, but this can be adequately softened with a few drops of water. Happily, a variety of delicious flavors can be discovered that partly compensate for the lack of balance in the finish.

+        Rich and elegant nose

+        A range of pleasing flavors paint the palette

-        A dry mouthfeel following a creamy start

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