Well G, as per usual I am late to the party but I'm here now and you NAILED IT!!! This review is PERFECT!!! I was able to put back two bottles of this as one of my alltime favorites. Glen Scotia is now, actually since 2019 they released batch # 2 which is at 54.2% ABV. Also a bit different than the 51.5% which I prefer. I just saw a very good review of the 54.2% which is still a fabulous whisky it just isn't all that the initial release was. I hope you will review the 54.2% release and tell us what yoy think.
Nice review Geoff. Here in Greece the price is about 90 euros and the 15 about 70. I found the Victoriana on a discount (overseas) about 55. For that price I believe that is the best I have ever tried. I am not that experienced to note all the flavours you mention but the overall flavour of this whisky is really great. I personally prefer it to 15 which I didn't love despite all the hype. Despite the high abv it is well balanced and it does not need much water, if any. Btw I have the 54,2 version. Cheers
Love this whisky. I get that “old school” character too - it’s like looking through the window of a Dickensian house at a family tucking into Christmas dinner and imaging all the smells and tastes in the room.
I loved the 15 and have had the Victoriana waiting to be opened for a few months now. Really excited after seeing this review. Campbeltown sure knows how to do things right. Glen Scotia may not always get all the glory but they are a doing fine work in their own right down there.
Agree. Great distillery. They've upped their game a lot over the last few years, and the respect they're getting is definitely deserved. If you're a fan already I'm sure you'll enjoy the Victoriana. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it!
I bought 2 bottles based on the Oswas reviews. Of my two bottles, the one I opened is the 2022 version (thinking it was the one being voted on since it’s from the year it won the award). The other bottle is from 2019. One thing you learn at some point is that some bottles will be overhyped, others will be on point and even better than others say. My reasoning ? Same as food and movies. It all comes down to YOUR own personal taste. No matter how great a burger or movie is hyped up, you end up thinking , meh, or simply not bad. That said I regret buying two bottles, mainly because I try to allocate my funds carefully as scotch has become so expensive. I just had the neck pour of the 2022 bottle. Unsweetened fruit, damp leaves, moss are things that I recall . I will continue to experiment with water and oxidation to give it my own official notes. All in all I wouldn’t put it as a whisky of the year. It’s well made. It’s relatively fair priced and at cask strength. I simply don’t find it to be special to the point of buying multiple bottles. Also yours is the one from the tube (older version) and a different abv. So I’m sure what you just reviewed is quite different to the contemporary version that’s out on the shelves now. Hopefully you still have a bit left to compare to the new bottlings.
While I seem to like it more than you, I agree that it's not something I'd have as whisky of the year. I'll be sure to decant a swig of this for comparison with my next bottle. Cheers Salty! 🥃
@@Gwhisky That will be interesting. Nobody seems to be taking the various batches or the different abvs into account while crowning it whisky of the year. It’s good. I’m sure I’ll get more into it as the level goes down. But as of right now, not as great as the community has propped it up to be. Unless earlier versions are much better and many are going off of those.
Had the double cask three weeks ago, and wonder of wonders, I totally loved it. It also had this full taste that tasted hhmm «fuzzy» and like cake dough. It was just great. That bottle was emptied in one night with friends. So yes, I want this as well now:)
Can't say I connected too much with the Double Cask, but this one's fantastic. Really enjoyed this bottle, which is an earlier Victoriana release. The newer ones, while not quite as good, are also really solid. I'm sure you'll enjoy!
Another great review, thx! I’m fairly new to Glen Scotia but it’s become a fav proly bec the distillate seems so wellsuited to everything it touches, so I was impressed with the first bar dram of Double, went to my fav NYC shop and got the 15, which I lived, and then jumped to more subtle and complex 18. Haven’t opened the recent wine finish annual but will proly get the Victoriana now as well!
I'm glad you're enjoying the channel! Yeah Scotia is great stuff, and as you said quite versatile. The Victoriana is one of my favourites. Since you like their other expressions so much I'm sure you'll enjoy it!
I just did a vertical of the Double Cask, 15 year and Victoriana and 15 came first, Double Cask second, Victoriana third. That's almost fantastic because the Double Cask is the cheapest although I have seen the Double Cask skyrocket in price in the last 6 months. Great review. Liked and Subscribed....done and done.
Wow. You might have had a dud Victoriana? Or just a matter of personal taste. I certainly had a dud bottle with my first Victoriana, so there are a few of them out there.
Nice review, Geoff. The 51.5 % ABV bottles are almost gone, the new ones are 54.2%. I haven't had any Victoriana yet though it has been on my radar for quite a while. I have had the 15 yo and absolutely love it. Problem is Glen Scotia is pretty poorly presented on our market - scarce and steeply priced. Recently I saw Victoriana on special sale, which is still in effect, but even on special the price is 75-76 euro which is more than regular prices of some of the big online alcohol retailers in Central and Western Europe. Generally alcohol is cheaper in my country because of the low taxes so the Victoriana and Glen Scotia in general are clearly overpriced. I'm pretty sure I'm going to like the whisky but in the same time I'm afraid the bad taste of being ripped-off will taint the experience. So I pass...for now :) Cheers
I got couple of bottles at a big online sale for about 28 euros per piece.(in Bucharest/Romania) I got the cask strenght version 54.2% and the quality is on top with the 51.5 abv. Very good whisky, NAS yes but i feel it has quite old age juice inside becouse i find it very complex and delicious.Slainte!!!
@@sorinsrn5442 28 euros for a bottle of Victoriana is a steal! Romania is a neighboring country to Bulgaria where I live but apparently has much bigger market (bigger population in general plus higher number of customers who can afford such luxurious goods). Victoriana has quite old spirit in the blend. I see it as a "justified" NAS because regulations require to state the age of the youngest spirit in the blend which in this particular case may be under 10 yo. Having a single digit on the label will definitely diminish the presentation and will not provide any meaningful info but mislead the customer. The only valid option would be to state something like "produced by vatting spirits aged between Х and Y years" or better yet list the entire composition of casks with their ages :) This will most probably cause troubles with the regulator though.
Sorry to hear this is overpriced where you are. There are a few select whiskies in my market that are inexplicably overpriced. Like you, I hold out on them. Knowing that they sell for much less elsewhere definitely diminishes my desire to buy them, even if they're well regarded. I wouldn't mind a single digit on the bottle tbh, but I can understand the distilleries' reluctance to advertise a younger age. I'm not against NAS generally speaking. However it's frustrating to see certain distilleries abuse the NAS designation and put out whisky that clearly isn't ready for bottling yet.
@@Gwhisky The problem here is that distillery is allowed to state just the age of the yougest spirit in the blend/vatting. So putting single digit age on the label of Victoriana, which has a healthy portion of well aged spirit in the blend, will most definitely understate the expression. People at Kilchoman have found a way around that nonsense by attaching a little tag to the bottles of their Loch Gorm saying that this particular release had been produced by vatting X casks distilled in years A, B, C, etc. Still proportions are not mentioned but nevertheless the customer is given a good point of referrence. If I had the word about what to put on the label of Victoriana, I would probably go the Kilchoman way. And meanwhile I would push the SWA to redefine the absurd labeling regulations toward more if not full transparency.
I tried the Victoriana not long after it came out (tried it at the distillery when touring Scotland on vacation). I liked it though I didn't buy it - I did buy a 15yo festival cask from that year (circa 2015-ish) though that I liked better. Glen Scotia was rarely available over here until fairly recently. Now starting to see core range bottles show up once in a while at the 'ol SAQ. Seems like it's turned the corner from being an underappreciated distiller - especially in Springbank's shadow as a fellow Campbeltown - but starting to be noticed more now.
Yeah it was considered pretty b-list stuff even just a few years ago. They've only really taken off over the last 5 years. Good on them. The quality of their whisky has improved dramatically and they've kept their prices reasonable. Glad to hear they're starting to take off back home too.
Personally, I prefer the 15, although I do wish the 15's proof was bumped up a little. The flavors of the Victoriana are just so different from the 15 and not necessarily what I would have expected or wanted..... especially from Campbeltown.
Your previous experience with others loving this but you not feeling the same way is how I feel about bunnahabhain (have had two samples) and Springbank (have had three)! I've tried ~220-30 scotches before and neither would even be in my top 30. Maybe I need to give them another shot...?
High ABV youthful whisky is really a thing. It's hard to believe that the market has swayed toward full strength and NAS. With the popularity of Kilkerran 8 and Glenallachie 10, I got on board with about dozen bottles in this genre. The Victoriana is certainly a prize to find at MSRP in New York. Interesting how the distillery bottlings are well priced. My feelings is that I would rather buy young, Cask strength blend filler if it's an integrity presentation instead of an overpriced NAS. ....until I start seeing positive reviews.
Did you know that GS Victorian bottled back in 2015 with 51,5% ABV was artificially colored….😮 I have two different bottles: 1) Bottled 2015 at 51,5% ABV - not on bottle, nor box it does not say “Natural Color” - and on bottle it says - E150a added 2) Bottled 2017 at 51.5% ABV - this one states both on bottle and box: Natural color That means - not only the ABV is a variation in Victoriana bottlings, but that early bottlings had a added artificoal color to it also. Wonder if anybody has compared these two versions side by side?
Interesting, I have the Glen Scotia Victoriana 51.5% and it comes in a box but doesn't say no- colour added on the bottle just non-chill filtered. Must have been a later version? mine is from 2017 I believe
Just did some research and looks like the Tin is the Travel Retail version. Both seem to be natural colour but they didn't add it to the box which is odd. There was also a Batch 001 apparently at 54.8% before the 54.2% one malt-musings.blogspot.com/2020/02/batches-glen-scotia-victoriana.html
Yeah it would be nice if there was more info on the box/label. If they gave us batch numbers for this it would help us distinguish what we're drinking. Quite confusing as it is.
@@Gwhisky Agreed, i managed to grab a second bottle for $60 AUD but it looks like its all the 51.5% bottles around Australia. The 54.2% hasn't managed to make its way here yet. If I want a third bottle ill have to fork out $150 AUD which is too much IMO
The 51.5% is definitely coloured; here in Germany they're required to state it on the label, and it does say "Mit Farbstoff" = colour added. The 15yo, by the way, appears to be natural in colour, in contrast to what is stated in the whiskybase.
I wonder if I have one of those off bottles? When I first opened it, I didn't like it at all. On my next few pours, it grew on me. Now I'm drinking it again after a little while away from it, and I don't like it again. Very weird!
You may or you may not. The thing about my “off” bottle is that there was no point where I really started to like it. I found the entire experience underwhelming.
Curious about this one. I found some about an hour drive away though the internet. Never had a Glen Scotia before, but very familiar with the other Campbeltown malts which I'm lucky enough to have stocked at home. I'm on a sherry kick right now, and not sure this will scratch the itch like the Springbank 15. This sounds like its own thing and can't be compared to Springbank. What do you think? Pick it up or pass on it?
I'd say it's worth trying. I've had great bottles and just ok bottles of it. It's definitely its own thing, and if you're looking for something similar to a Springbank you'll likely be disappointed. It's not going to scratch your sherry itch like SB15 would either. If you keep an open mind and approach it as its own thing, you'll probably enjoy it. But it ain't SB!
@@Gwhisky appreciate the reply! Any sherry suggestions? I’ve enjoyed the Glendronach 15 Revival and Edradour Caledonia and 10 Signatory. Glenallachie 15 worth a shot or any other recommendations?
This bottle and Ardbeg uigeadail are the 2 finalists for NAS in the 2022 San Francisco world spirits completion award
Well G, as per usual I am late to the party but I'm here now and you NAILED IT!!! This review is PERFECT!!! I was able to put back two bottles of this as one of my alltime favorites. Glen Scotia is now, actually since 2019 they released batch # 2 which is at 54.2% ABV. Also a bit different than the 51.5% which I prefer. I just saw a very good review of the 54.2% which is still a fabulous whisky it just isn't all that the initial release was. I hope you will review the 54.2% release and tell us what yoy think.
Not to worry, I plan on doing precisely that! It's coming down the pipeline! Thanks for watching and for the kind words, Cecil.
Nice review Geoff. Here in Greece the price is about 90 euros and the 15 about 70. I found the Victoriana on a discount (overseas) about 55. For that price I believe that is the best I have ever tried. I am not that experienced to note all the flavours you mention but the overall flavour of this whisky is really great. I personally prefer it to 15 which I didn't love despite all the hype. Despite the high abv it is well balanced and it does not need much water, if any. Btw I have the 54,2 version. Cheers
Glad you enjoyed it. €55 is a good deal! 🥃
I appreciate how descriptive your notes are. Great review!
Very kind of you to say, Troublesome '89! 🥃
Love this whisky. I get that “old school” character too - it’s like looking through the window of a Dickensian house at a family tucking into Christmas dinner and imaging all the smells and tastes in the room.
Very poetic. Love it!
I loved the 15 and have had the Victoriana waiting to be opened for a few months now. Really excited after seeing this review. Campbeltown sure knows how to do things right. Glen Scotia may not always get all the glory but they are a doing fine work in their own right down there.
Agree. Great distillery. They've upped their game a lot over the last few years, and the respect they're getting is definitely deserved. If you're a fan already I'm sure you'll enjoy the Victoriana. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it!
I bought 2 bottles based on the Oswas reviews. Of my two bottles, the one I opened is the 2022 version (thinking it was the one being voted on since it’s from the year it won the award). The other bottle is from 2019.
One thing you learn at some point is that some bottles will be overhyped, others will be on point and even better than others say. My reasoning ? Same as food and movies. It all comes down to YOUR own personal taste. No matter how great a burger or movie is hyped up, you end up thinking , meh, or simply not bad.
That said I regret buying two bottles, mainly because I try to allocate my funds carefully as scotch has become so expensive. I just had the neck pour of the 2022 bottle.
Unsweetened fruit, damp leaves, moss are things that I recall . I will continue to experiment with water and oxidation to give it my own official notes.
All in all I wouldn’t put it as a whisky of the year. It’s well made. It’s relatively fair priced and at cask strength. I simply don’t find it to be special to the point of buying multiple bottles. Also yours is the one from the tube (older version) and a different abv. So I’m sure what you just reviewed is quite different to the contemporary version that’s out on the shelves now. Hopefully you still have a bit left to compare to the new bottlings.
While I seem to like it more than you, I agree that it's not something I'd have as whisky of the year. I'll be sure to decant a swig of this for comparison with my next bottle. Cheers Salty! 🥃
@@Gwhisky That will be interesting. Nobody seems to be taking the various batches or the different abvs into account while crowning it whisky of the year.
It’s good. I’m sure I’ll get more into it as the level goes down. But as of right now, not as great as the community has propped it up to be. Unless earlier versions are much better and many are going off of those.
Had the double cask three weeks ago, and wonder of wonders, I totally loved it. It also had this full taste that tasted hhmm «fuzzy» and like cake dough. It was just great.
That bottle was emptied in one night with friends. So yes, I want this as well now:)
Can't say I connected too much with the Double Cask, but this one's fantastic. Really enjoyed this bottle, which is an earlier Victoriana release. The newer ones, while not quite as good, are also really solid. I'm sure you'll enjoy!
Another great review, thx! I’m fairly new to Glen Scotia but it’s become a fav proly bec the distillate seems so wellsuited to everything it touches, so I was impressed with the first bar dram of Double, went to my fav NYC shop and got the 15, which I lived, and then jumped to more subtle and complex 18. Haven’t opened the recent wine finish annual but will proly get the Victoriana now as well!
I'm glad you're enjoying the channel! Yeah Scotia is great stuff, and as you said quite versatile. The Victoriana is one of my favourites. Since you like their other expressions so much I'm sure you'll enjoy it!
I just did a vertical of the Double Cask, 15 year and Victoriana and 15 came first, Double Cask second, Victoriana third. That's almost fantastic because the Double Cask is the cheapest although I have seen the Double Cask skyrocket in price in the last 6 months. Great review. Liked and Subscribed....done and done.
Wow. You might have had a dud Victoriana? Or just a matter of personal taste. I certainly had a dud bottle with my first Victoriana, so there are a few of them out there.
Nice review, Geoff. The 51.5 % ABV bottles are almost gone, the new ones are 54.2%.
I haven't had any Victoriana yet though it has been on my radar for quite a while. I have had the 15 yo and absolutely love it.
Problem is Glen Scotia is pretty poorly presented on our market - scarce and steeply priced. Recently I saw Victoriana on special sale, which is still in effect, but even on special the price is 75-76 euro which is more than regular prices of some of the big online alcohol retailers in Central and Western Europe. Generally alcohol is cheaper in my country because of the low taxes so the Victoriana and Glen Scotia in general are clearly overpriced. I'm pretty sure I'm going to like the whisky but in the same time I'm afraid the bad taste of being ripped-off will taint the experience. So I pass...for now :)
Cheers
I got couple of bottles at a big online sale for about 28 euros per piece.(in Bucharest/Romania) I got the cask strenght version 54.2% and the quality is on top with the 51.5 abv. Very good whisky, NAS yes but i feel it has quite old age juice inside becouse i find it very complex and delicious.Slainte!!!
@@sorinsrn5442
28 euros for a bottle of Victoriana is a steal! Romania is a neighboring country to Bulgaria where I live but apparently has much bigger market (bigger population in general plus higher number of customers who can afford such luxurious goods).
Victoriana has quite old spirit in the blend. I see it as a "justified" NAS because regulations require to state the age of the youngest spirit in the blend which in this particular case may be under 10 yo. Having a single digit on the label will definitely diminish the presentation and will not provide any meaningful info but mislead the customer. The only valid option would be to state something like "produced by vatting spirits aged between Х and Y years" or better yet list the entire composition of casks with their ages :) This will most probably cause troubles with the regulator though.
Sorry to hear this is overpriced where you are. There are a few select whiskies in my market that are inexplicably overpriced. Like you, I hold out on them. Knowing that they sell for much less elsewhere definitely diminishes my desire to buy them, even if they're well regarded.
I wouldn't mind a single digit on the bottle tbh, but I can understand the distilleries' reluctance to advertise a younger age. I'm not against NAS generally speaking. However it's frustrating to see certain distilleries abuse the NAS designation and put out whisky that clearly isn't ready for bottling yet.
@@Gwhisky The problem here is that distillery is allowed to state just the age of the yougest spirit in the blend/vatting. So putting single digit age on the label of Victoriana, which has a healthy portion of well aged spirit in the blend, will most definitely understate the expression.
People at Kilchoman have found a way around that nonsense by attaching a little tag to the bottles of their Loch Gorm saying that this particular release had been produced by vatting X casks distilled in years A, B, C, etc. Still proportions are not mentioned but nevertheless the customer is given a good point of referrence.
If I had the word about what to put on the label of Victoriana, I would probably go the Kilchoman way. And meanwhile I would push the SWA to redefine the absurd labeling regulations toward more if not full transparency.
51.5% so this is not a young whisky. Or it's not cash strength?
I tried the Victoriana not long after it came out (tried it at the distillery when touring Scotland on vacation). I liked it though I didn't buy it - I did buy a 15yo festival cask from that year (circa 2015-ish) though that I liked better.
Glen Scotia was rarely available over here until fairly recently. Now starting to see core range bottles show up once in a while at the 'ol SAQ. Seems like it's turned the corner from being an underappreciated distiller - especially in Springbank's shadow as a fellow Campbeltown - but starting to be noticed more now.
Yeah it was considered pretty b-list stuff even just a few years ago. They've only really taken off over the last 5 years. Good on them. The quality of their whisky has improved dramatically and they've kept their prices reasonable. Glad to hear they're starting to take off back home too.
Personally, I prefer the 15, although I do wish the 15's proof was bumped up a little. The flavors of the Victoriana are just so different from the 15 and not necessarily what I would have expected or wanted..... especially from Campbeltown.
Looking forward to your reviewing the abv 54.2% version
I'll keep my eyes open for that one.
Your previous experience with others loving this but you not feeling the same way is how I feel about bunnahabhain (have had two samples) and Springbank (have had three)! I've tried ~220-30 scotches before and neither would even be in my top 30. Maybe I need to give them another shot...?
I mean I think Bunna is pretty unmatched, so I'd always recommend it. But yeah, could just be a brand that you don't get along with.
Hey man great review! You should definitely give a shot to gs 18 as well. Thanks for informing contents
I've got a bottle of the 18 on the go right now. Good stuff! A review will come eventually. Thanks for watching. Cheers!
@@Gwhisky Looking forward to it :) Cheers!
High ABV youthful whisky is really a thing.
It's hard to believe that the market has swayed toward full strength and NAS. With the popularity of Kilkerran 8 and Glenallachie 10, I got on board with about dozen bottles in this genre. The Victoriana is certainly a prize to find at MSRP in New York. Interesting how the distillery bottlings are well priced.
My feelings is that I would rather buy young, Cask strength blend filler if it's an integrity presentation instead of an overpriced NAS. ....until I start seeing positive reviews.
Did you know that GS Victorian bottled back in 2015 with 51,5% ABV was artificially colored….😮
I have two different bottles:
1) Bottled 2015 at 51,5% ABV - not on bottle, nor box it does not say “Natural Color” - and on bottle it says - E150a added
2) Bottled 2017 at 51.5% ABV - this one states both on bottle and box: Natural color
That means - not only the ABV is a variation in Victoriana bottlings, but that early bottlings had a added artificoal color to it also.
Wonder if anybody has compared these two versions side by side?
Interesting. I didn't know they had done both natural cand coloured with that release. It'd be a fun comparison! 🥃
Interesting, I have the Glen Scotia Victoriana 51.5% and it comes in a box but doesn't say no- colour added on the bottle just non-chill filtered. Must have been a later version? mine is from 2017 I believe
Just did some research and looks like the Tin is the Travel Retail version. Both seem to be natural colour but they didn't add it to the box which is odd. There was also a Batch 001 apparently at 54.8% before the 54.2% one
malt-musings.blogspot.com/2020/02/batches-glen-scotia-victoriana.html
Yeah it would be nice if there was more info on the box/label. If they gave us batch numbers for this it would help us distinguish what we're drinking. Quite confusing as it is.
@@Gwhisky Agreed, i managed to grab a second bottle for $60 AUD but it looks like its all the 51.5% bottles around Australia. The 54.2% hasn't managed to make its way here yet. If I want a third bottle ill have to fork out $150 AUD which is too much IMO
Thx so much for this link! The add’l research he does provides so much of the info we want without having to dig for it ourselves!
The 51.5% is definitely coloured; here in Germany they're required to state it on the label, and it does say "Mit Farbstoff" = colour added.
The 15yo, by the way, appears to be natural in colour, in contrast to what is stated in the whiskybase.
One of my stores has the 51% and 54% cask strength for $94 each. Debating if I should get one
That's not cheap, but it's a hell of a whisky. If you can't get it cheaper elsewhere I'd suggest you try it at least once.
Hi has anyone got any thoughts on this whisky with water added....
Great review.
Thanks Brian! 🙏
I wonder if I have one of those off bottles? When I first opened it, I didn't like it at all. On my next few pours, it grew on me. Now I'm drinking it again after a little while away from it, and I don't like it again. Very weird!
You may or you may not. The thing about my “off” bottle is that there was no point where I really started to like it. I found the entire experience underwhelming.
GWhisky, if you could choose between Ardnamurchan Batch 3 or Glen Scotia Victoriana, which one would you prefer?
Prooooobably Victoriana.
Curious about this one. I found some about an hour drive away though the internet. Never had a Glen Scotia before, but very familiar with the other Campbeltown malts which I'm lucky enough to have stocked at home. I'm on a sherry kick right now, and not sure this will scratch the itch like the Springbank 15. This sounds like its own thing and can't be compared to Springbank. What do you think? Pick it up or pass on it?
I'd say it's worth trying. I've had great bottles and just ok bottles of it. It's definitely its own thing, and if you're looking for something similar to a Springbank you'll likely be disappointed. It's not going to scratch your sherry itch like SB15 would either. If you keep an open mind and approach it as its own thing, you'll probably enjoy it. But it ain't SB!
@@Gwhisky appreciate the reply! Any sherry suggestions? I’ve enjoyed the Glendronach 15 Revival and Edradour Caledonia and 10 Signatory. Glenallachie 15 worth a shot or any other recommendations?
@@wwolf5670 check out Royal Brackla 12 or Speyburn 15!
@@Gwhisky haven’t tried either! Will look into those thank you!
Does this have Springbank funkiness?
No. It's Campbeltown, but it's a completely different profile to Springbank. Very little funk, if any.
What does Moorish mean?
More-ish. I often want more. Easy to reach for a second dram. Just an expression.