Whisky Focus - Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4

Campbeltown distillery Glen Scotia has unveiled the fourth and penultimate expression in its Icons of Campbeltown series, a five-part collection of limited-edition single malt whiskies inspired by the folklore and legendary characters of Scotland's smallest whisky-making region.

Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4 is a 12 Year Old, unpeated single malt dedicated to the Griffin, a mythical half-eagle, half-lion creature traditionally associated with strength, vigilance and protection. According to local legend, the Griffin stood guard over Campbeltown harbour, watching over the town and its most prized possession – its whisky.

Once known as the whisky capital of the world during the Victorian era, Campbeltown has a rich history steeped in folklore. The Icons of Campbeltown series takes its inspiration from the carvings of saints and mythical beasts found on the town's 14th-century market cross, a historic landmark surrounded by centuries of myth and legend.

Among its carvings is the Griffin, whose imposing form has provided the inspiration for the fourth release. Glen Scotia has interpreted the creature as a symbol of the guardianship, strength and distinctive character that continue to define both the distillery and Campbeltown's whisky-making heritage.

For Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4, Glen Scotia's 12 Year Old single malt has been finished in Vin Santo wine casks, which they tell me has added layers of honeyed sweetness and dried fruit to its characteristic coastal profile. Notes of dried apricot and sultana combine with toasted almond and hazelnut, while gentle cinnamon spice develops on the palate and lingers into the finish. The distillery's distinctive coastal character provides a savoury, maritime foundation beneath the richer fruit and spice notes.

Ashley Smith, master blender at Glen Scotia, said: “Our small town has so many exceptional stories to tell, and The Icons of Campbeltown series brings this incredible folklore to life.

“The Griffin stood watch over Campbeltown for hundreds of years, and that's exactly how I think of our distillery team, as the guardians of Glen Scotia's whisky. Every cask that leaves here has been shaped by people protecting a character that has come to be loved all over the world, through skill built up over generations.
“For this release, I wanted a cask that would truly complement that character, so we finished the whisky in Vin Santo casks. They've brought a honeyed sweetness and dried fruit, with toasted almond and warming cinnamon on the finish, with our distinctive coastal salt character anchoring it all.”

Win a trip to Campbeltown

To celebrate the launch of Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4, the distillery is offering customers the opportunity to win a trip to Campbeltown when purchasing the whisky through its website*.

The once-in-a-lifetime experience will include meeting the Glen Scotia team, touring the distillery and tasting the whisky in the Campbeltown surroundings that helped shape its character. The winner will also have the opportunity to discover the people, craftsmanship and community spirit behind the town's enduring whisky identity.

The fourth Icons of Campbeltown release is bottled at 53.8% ABV, at batch strength, and is non-chill filtered and natural in colour. Priced at £80, the limited-edition 12-year-old single malt is available now from Glen Scotia and specialist whisky retailers in the UK and internationally.

Glen Scotia has again collaborated with artist Joel Holtzman on the artwork for the series. Holtzman's previous creative projects include work for Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm, bringing a distinctive visual interpretation to the folklore and characters behind each Icons of Campbeltown release.

You will find the Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4 limited edition 12 Year Old unpeated Vin Santo Wine Cask Finish available from specialist online whisky shops such as The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt
 

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