As part of the whisky calendar, Glen Scotia’s Campbeltown Whisky Festival releases are a key fixture. Not only do they mark the shift from dark winter into warming spring, they’re also a fun, varied showcase of what Glen Scotia has sitting in its warehouses.
The brand has faced some criticism for its younger releases, but personally, some of the younger expressions I’ve tried have been my favourites. As ever, it’s all subjective, but do check out my ranked list below.
9. 2020 Glen Scotia 14 Year Old Peated, Tawny Port Finish, 52.8%
This is a strange bottle for me. 2020 was a pretty wild year for all of us, and while I definitely remember trying this, I couldn’t recall the impression it left. So I rectified that by sourcing a sample from a bar that had a dusty bottle—and I have to say, it isn’t my favourite release.
There’s an intense note of rose water and Chambord. It seems to shift between being very sweet and then quite salty, with a drying peat. I don’t hate it, but given the cask finishing, I expected to like it more.
8. 2023 Glen Scotia Lightly Peated 11 Year Old, White Port Finish, 57.4%
I first tried this at The Pot Still in Glasgow and was really excited about it. A new Glen Scotia release with peat and white port, something I’ve grown to love, especially as a warm-weather drink with tonic.
However, it just didn’t land for me. I revisited it a few weeks later to be sure I wasn’t underplaying it, but I still didn’t love it. There are no off-putting notes; it just didn’t quite hit the level of excitement the label suggested.
7. 2025 Glen Scotia Peated 9 Year Old, Ribera del Duero Finish, 54.3%
The first of some divisive red wine casks. This one initially got my attention, largely due to the wine influence. I don’t know a huge amount about red wine, but Ribera del Duero is something I’ve only had good experiences with.
It smelled incredible with lots of smoke and sweet berries. But the downfall was an overwhelming note of liquorice. It’s not a flavour I usually mind, as long as it’s subtle, but here it dominated. I split the bottle with a few friends, and while the note softened over time, it took nearly a year to settle.
6. 2024 Glen Scotia Unpeated 9 Year Old, Fino Cask Finish, 56.2%
This was the first release in the range that I preferred with water rather than neat. Drier sherry styles are something I’ve grown to appreciate more over time, and the fino influence here is very welcome.
It’s super floral and dry, showcasing many of the best qualities of Glen Scotia’s spirit. Add a few drops of water, though, and it transforms into something far more caramel and biscuit-driven.
Each glass becomes a bit of a journey, moving from southern Spain to Scotland, finishing with a freshly made sweet biscuit covered in caramel sauce.
5. 2021 Glen Scotia Unpeated 10 Year Old, Bordeaux Médoc Finish, 56.1%
The other red wine cask in the series, and one I really enjoyed from start to finish. Notes of heather honey and sweet red berries come through beautifully.
There are no off-notes or excessive spice. Just a full-on delivery of fresh red fruits, vanilla, dark chocolate, and that signature Glen Scotia saltiness. I miss this bottle. I should have bought two.
4. 2026 Glen Scotia 7 Year Old Medium Peated, Ruby Port Finish, 53.9%
The newest release in the series, and one I connected with instantly. If you’re a fan of agave spirits, this offers an interesting crossover with single malt whisky.
There are classic ruby port red fruit notes alongside a touch of ashy smoke. With time in the glass, you start to get flavours of agave syrup, fresh lime juice, and salt. A refreshing, slightly tart profile that circles back to softer red fruit notes on the finish.
A fun bottle, and an affordable way to explore Glen Scotia’s more experimental side.
3. 2022 Glen Scotia 8 Year Old Peated, Pedro Ximénez Finish, 56.5%
These top three releases are the ones that really stand out. This peated PX finish is exceptional.
It delivers bonfire and firework smoke, alongside generous helpings of toffee and honeycomb, with a welcome touch of youthful spice on the finish.
Younger Glen Scotia can be a brilliant thing, whether in official releases or independent bottlings.
2. 2019 Glen Scotia 16 Year Old Peated, Guyanese Rum Cask Finish, 51.3%
This one was all about time. I picked it up because it was great value on release. Older, peated, and finished in rum casks.
At first, it was simply a well-balanced, sweet, and smoky Glen Scotia. The rum influence was subtle. But after about three months open, it really came alive. It became a rich mix of sticky brown sugar, smoky vanilla custard, and salt-coated chocolate.
I remember finishing this bottle in the summer with friends around a BBQ as the sun was going down. A genuine core whisky memory.
1. 2018 Glen Scotia 10 Year Old Peated, Ruby Port Finish, 57.8%
And here we are at number one.
This bottle defined Glen Scotia for me. I bought one, drank it, and loved it. Bought another, and I still have about half left, and it still tastes fantastic.
Think raspberries and milk chocolate, smoked, salted, and soaked in booze, all wrapped in that sweet, ashy, slightly theatrical smoke that works so well with Glen Scotia’s style.
My favourite of the range, and one of my favourite bottles of Scotch whisky full stop.
The One Release I Look Forward To Every Year
This is a fantastic run of single malts from Glen Scotia. As mentioned at the start, these releases are not only a marker in the whisky calendar, but consistently exciting, fun, and interesting.
I’m already wondering what 2027 will bring.
Read the full article at Glen Scotia’s Campbeltown Malts Festival Releases, Ranked
