Behind this Glen Scotia whisky lies Campbeltown's mythical guardian

Monday, 14 September 2026 at 14:00

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Glen Scotia has unveiled a new whisky in the Icons of Campbeltown series. This time it’s all about the Griffin, a mythical creature said to have watched over Campbeltown in ancient tales. Time to return to the cross in the market square and reveal the next icon. And the story behind it is surprisingly dark.

The new Glen Scotia is the fourth release in a five-part series. Each bottling is inspired by the stories, figures, and symbols of Campbeltown. But where does the Griffin actually come from? We’ll dive into that here and of course, we’ll tell you all about the Scotch whisky inside the bottle.

The Griffin of Campbeltown

In Victorian times, Campbeltown was one of the world’s great whisky towns. More than 30 distilleries once stood in this small coastal place. Today, only three remain.

Even so, Campbeltown’s whisky heritage is still visible everywhere, not just in the distilleries, but woven through the town itself. Take the old market square. Standing there is a 14th-century stone cross.

It’s carved with figures, saints, and animals: a werewolf, a mermaid, a dragon and a griffin.

Half eagle, half lion

A griffin is a mythic creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. It appears in various legends, including those tied to Campbeltown.

According to the tale, the creature symbolized strength, vigilance, and protection. The Griffin was said to watch high over Campbeltown, guarding what mattered most to the town: whisky. Glen Scotia now draws on that old legend for the fourth whisky in the Icons of Campbeltown series.

Glen Scotia opts for a standout finish

Master blender Ashley Smith wanted a cask that would resonate with Glen Scotia’s character and the story behind this release. For this edition, Glen Scotia used a 12-year-old unpeated single malt, then gave it a finishing period in Vin Santo casks. Vin Santo is a sweet Italian dessert wine known for notes of dried fruit, honey, and nuts.

Nose: Rich caramel, syrupy dried apricots, and candied red apple.
Palate: Nutmeg, cinnamon, roasted hazelnut, dried apple peel, and dark cocoa.
Finish: Orange bitters, zesty citrus peel, caramelized oak, and crème brûlée.

The whisky is bottled at 53.8% ABV with no added color.

The penultimate release in the series

Icons of Campbeltown will ultimately comprise five releases. This Griffin edition is number four, making it the penultimate bottling in the line. Glen Scotia once again collaborated on the design with artist Joel Holtzman, who has also worked on projects for Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm.

The recommended retail price is £80, and it will soon appear in limited quantities on the shelves of specialist retailers. Dutch pricing has yet to be announced.

FAQ

What is Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No. 4?
It’s a 12-year-old unpeated single malt and the fourth whisky in the five-part Icons of Campbeltown series.
What casks were used for Glen Scotia Release No. 4?
The whisky was finished in Vin Santo wine casks.
How strong is Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No. 4?
The whisky is bottled at 53.8% ABV.

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