Glen Scotia distillery presented three new, or at least repackaged expressions last year, rather soon after the 2013 rebrand which I found to be a little ‘alcopop’ style.
Glen Scotia Victoriana is a new one, matured in bourbon barrels and then finished in deeply charred casks. Bottled at cask strength with no age statement.
Glen Scotia Victoriana (51,5%, OB 2015)
Glen Scotia Victoriana (51,5%, OB 2015)Nose: rather nice, there’s definitely a dark / toasted side to it, alongside crème brûlée and red plums. Hints of damp wood. Blackcurrant jam. A little cookie dough, caramelized apples and praline. Salted nuts as well.
Mouth: sweet mocha and milk chocolate up front, then red fruits, blackberries and figs. Candied ginger, hints of burnt oak. Blood oranges and bananas flambéed. Cinnamon pastry. Some marmalade towards the end.
Finish: rather short, but nice enough, on spices, raisins and chocolate.
This Glen Scotia Victoriana is maybe not the most typical Glen Scotia in that it’s quite smooth and caramelized, and lacks some of the Glen Scotia eccentricity and mustiness. It seems to get mixed reviews but I rather like it, although it’s on the expensive side. Around € 85.
Score: 84/100