Campbeltown, once known as the whisky capital of the world in the Victorian era, is a town with mythical history carved into its streets, and one Campbeltown distillery is celebrating the region’s deeply rooted folklore through a series of fantastical releases.
In 2023, Glen Scotia Distillery, a multi-award-winning enterprise and one of only three working distilleries in Campbeltown, launched the Icons of Campbeltown series. The series comprises annual single malt Scotch whisky releases that celebrate the legendary folklore tales of the town’s famous market cross and Scotland’s smallest whisky-making region.
Each release has been inspired by icons that were intricately carved by unknown hands into the face of the medieval stone, which dates from the 14th century and is shrouded in myth and lore. Saints, beasts, heroes and their foes are said to vividly capture tales of Campbeltown’s character, creativity, and history.
Now in its fourth iteration, the Icons of Campbeltown Series continues to tell the stories of Campbeltown both through folklore and distinct coastal whisky.Crown Royal x Juicy Couture Drop Limited Edition Y2K-Inspired Merch
The Icons of Campbeltown Series So Far
So far, the series has celebrated the Mermaid, the Dragon and the Wulver, all mythical creatures who are said to have played a key role in Campbeltown’s legendary history.
From rumoured maritime myths of mermaid sightings and tales of the Archangel Saint Michael, associated with courage and protection, who slayed a fire-breathing dragon with his spear, and a formidable creature with a gentle soul who had a generous nature of sharing with his neighbours – the series nods to creatures who emulate Campbeltown’s guardian-like, persevering spirit.
I asked Sean McGeachy, assistant distillery manager at Glen Scotia, about the purpose of the series. He explained, “The Icons of Campbeltown series is a fantastic celebration of the storied history of our famous hometown.” He noted that “each Icon and their corresponding tales mirrors Campbeltown’s close knit community spirit which has played a key role in Glen Scotia’s survival and resurgence in recent years.”
This deep-rooted Campbeltown resilience has paved the way for a much broader appreciation of the region’s output. Highlighting the global rise of the distillery and the wider area, McGeachy added that “Campbeltown’s character is now being recognised around the world,” and emphasized that it is “unique stories like those of the Icons of Campbeltown series, paired with high quality, unmistakable Glen Scotia whiskies that drive our reputation.”
Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4
The Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4 is inspired by carvings of the Griffin, a fabled creature said to have been a guardian of Campbeltown’s harbour, whisky and bold character.
As the legend goes, the Griffin was a creature of strength, vigilance and protection which kept watch high above the harbour, guarding what Campbeltown valued most, its whisky. It’s a theme that master blender Ashley Smith feels a strong connection to. When I asked her about the story of the Griffin, and how it inspired the whisky, she said: “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.”
Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4 is a 12 Year Old unpeated single malt whisky which was finished in the finest Vin Santo wine casks. Vin Santo wine is a sweet dessert wine from Tuscany, Italy. The wine is made by air-drying white grapes on straw or racks, concentrating the natural sugars in the grapes, before aging in oak barrels.
Explaining her choice of wood for this expression, Smith shared: “For this release, I wanted a cask that would truly complement that character so we finished the whisky in Vin Santo casks.”
The use of those casks brings a rich honeyed sweetness layered with notes of dried apricot and sultana to the whisky—something Smith notes is anchored by “our distinctive coastal salt character.” Toasted almond and hazelnut follow, with a gentle hint of cinnamon spice on the palate.
The Art of Joel Holtzman
As with the previous installments in the Icons of Campbeltown Series, Glen Scotia tasked Joel Holtzman to create the packaging for Release No.4.
The artwork features the fabled Griffin in a protective stance, staring intensely, guarding Campbeltown and its whiskies.
Holtzman’s previous work includes projects for Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm.
Exploring Campbeltown
To mark the launch, Glen Scotia is offering the chance to win a trip to Campbeltown when purchasing Icons of Campbeltown Release No. 4 through its website.
During the experience, the winner will meet the Glen Scotia team, explore the distillery, taste the whisky in the place that shaped it, and discover the people, craftsmanship and community spirit in Campbeltown.
Buy Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4
Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4 is bottled at batch strength, 53.8% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural in colour. It retails at £80 and is available now from Glen Scotia’s website and specialist retailers in the UK and globally.
Read the full article at Behind Glen Scotia’s Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4
