For the 2024 Campbeltown Malts Festival, Glen Scotia distillery released this limited edition. The whisky matured in first-fill bourbon barrels and then went into Fino sherry casks for six months.
Glen Scotia 9 yo (56,2%, OB for Campbeltown Malts Festival 2024, first-fill bourbon + Fino sherry finish)
Nose: quite rounded, with vanilla, lemon, apricots and peaches, as well as almonds. A second wave brings mineral oils, golden raisins and light spearmint. Subtle coastal notes as well, though minimal, with faint yeasty notes and hints of pickle juice.
Mouth: still some sweet fruitiness, now also showing clear Fino character. Think seaweed, plain sea salt, leafy notes and a hint of chamomile. Then powerful white pepper, a light vinegary sour note and some woody astringency. Hints of sulphur in the background. Increasingly salty towards the end.
Finish: quite long, still salty, with floral overtones, ginger, herbs and a slightly industrial metallic note.
This does show the funky Glen Scotia notes, and it does also show a firm Fino character. That said, there’s also a fruitiness from the bourbon wood that doesn’t fit in entirely. Overall it leaves me scratching my head. People tend to be slightly forgiving at a festival, but I don’t think I would buy this now.