Today we bring you the Glen Scotia 15 year. Aged in exclusively American ex-oak barrels and coming in at the classic 46%. Join us on Patreon @ / topshelfwhisky
I’m glad you guys reviewed this expression. For so long this and the Victoriana were the only regular Campbeltowns we could get regularly. Bought a Spare of this. Cheers
Brine, fruit jam, baking spices and black tea. Those are the notes I identified during my first sitting with it. Been one of my favorites ever since. I rate it above the Victoriana.
I get chocolate coated strawberries on this one. Sometimes stronger than others. Then the sea spray, and peppery finish / sharpness I always get from Glen Scotia. Great value dram.
Well that's good info because we've looked this up and debated it for years. We all thought we tasted it, especially older bottles, but the stats never said anything about it!
Apparently its only a 2-3 month finishing in first and second fill olorosso sherry casks after being in first fill bourbon casks for the rest of the time. This is coming from whiskynovice's video from Michael Henry
Great review as per usual. Tried this one in a whisky bar and immediately made a decision to buy both this and 18yo (they were my first Glen Scotias, which is quite hard to find in Finland outside of few specialty bars). However, both were out-of-stock despite my chosen website claiming otherwise. Now I finally have both of them coming my way (still in the loving hands of postal service). Small price jumps on both 15 and 18, but still 65€ and 120€ (same in dollars basically).
When I do grab my first bottle of Glen Scotia it will likely be this one, but the Vic and 18 are definitely on my radar. Nice review, nice to see affordable bottles out there as well that doesn’t suffer in quality
I've had a newer bottle with the tag about the 25 year (neck pour) and a 2017 bottle. Found the 2017 bottle (Code L2/285/17) considerably better and would probably put it around the 90 score easily and thankful I have backups of it. Seems like there's a decent amount of batch variance with these but even the new bottles are still great.
Only had one of these a couple of years ago. Very nice. Would love to see a peated version of this 15 added to the lineup as the peated single bourbon casks I have had from them are my favorite Glen Scotia's. Cheers
one of the best out there for the money. I put it above the 18...and maybe not a better "whisky" than the 25, but I'd probably rather just drink the 15.
That's my general feeling yes. It has been a year or so, so maybe it's me. But I think it's gotten a bit more spice forward, more of a toasted note, and less sherry. Still well made stuff.
If we're talking straight value, then it's very hard to top Loch Lomond 12 for under $35; but I think Craigellachie 13 for about $50 is about as delicious & well-made as anything under $100. Others that to consider as far as value goes are Ardbeg Uigeadail, Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength, Bunnahabhain 12 Cask Strength, and Glen Scotia's own Victoriana.
Some interesting options in there. If the Bunna 12 CS becomes consistently the same as the 2022 and it's available, that would make the list (though the 21 release was exactly 100 here). For the rest, I'd take this to be honest, especially over Victoriana.
@@topshelfdustin3060 I've never actually done a side-by-side of the 18 and the Victoriana, so I'll take your word on that. Victoriana is a divisive bottle; no doubt there's batch variation, and being NAS doesn't go over well with the online mob, but I'm a fan ✌️
I’m glad you guys reviewed this expression. For so long this and the Victoriana were the only regular Campbeltowns we could get regularly. Bought a Spare of this. Cheers
Brine, fruit jam, baking spices and black tea. Those are the notes I identified during my first sitting with it. Been one of my favorites ever since. I rate it above the Victoriana.
You guys must be famous. You made the video and they raised prices.
89.99.....wtf? Boo! I did see Party Source for the first time ever has the 15.
I get chocolate coated strawberries on this one. Sometimes stronger than others. Then the sea spray, and peppery finish / sharpness I always get from Glen Scotia. Great value dram.
yes, this is the pick of the litter for glen scotia. Cheers
I've had a bottle of this for $75 and it's very solid,. I would give it an 87-88 score. Great review.
There´s also a bit of oloroso in there. Not sure why not stated on the label but Ian MacAlister confirmed that.
Btw to me, there´s a strong note of apricot jam
Well that's good info because we've looked this up and debated it for years. We all thought we tasted it, especially older bottles, but the stats never said anything about it!
Apparently its only a 2-3 month finishing in first and second fill olorosso sherry casks after being in first fill bourbon casks for the rest of the time. This is coming from whiskynovice's video from Michael Henry
Great review as per usual. Tried this one in a whisky bar and immediately made a decision to buy both this and 18yo (they were my first Glen Scotias, which is quite hard to find in Finland outside of few specialty bars). However, both were out-of-stock despite my chosen website claiming otherwise. Now I finally have both of them coming my way (still in the loving hands of postal service). Small price jumps on both 15 and 18, but still 65€ and 120€ (same in dollars basically).
Better then the 18, good 🥃 cheers !
When I do grab my first bottle of Glen Scotia it will likely be this one, but the Vic and 18 are definitely on my radar. Nice review, nice to see affordable bottles out there as well that doesn’t suffer in quality
Sweet. These are still available in my area. I hope to get the same tasting notes
I've had a newer bottle with the tag about the 25 year (neck pour) and a 2017 bottle. Found the 2017 bottle (Code L2/285/17) considerably better and would probably put it around the 90 score easily and thankful I have backups of it. Seems like there's a decent amount of batch variance with these but even the new bottles are still great.
Yeah my memory on the older bottles was of a much more fruity dram. Oh well, still great stuff.
Can't complain, My go to GS 15 , Always in my house, Great review and yes it's better then the 18Yr in my opinion. Cheers
Spot on, love this one over VTRNA
This is a really good one. I get much more sweet and not so much funk. The spiced chai is right on the money with me. Cheers fellas
Only had one of these a couple of years ago. Very nice. Would love to see a peated version of this 15 added to the lineup as the peated single bourbon casks I have had from them are my favorite Glen Scotia's. Cheers
I still regrest not buying the 10 peated, but it was 90, more than this one
one of the best out there for the money. I put it above the 18...and maybe not a better "whisky" than the 25, but I'd probably rather just drink the 15.
Great review. So, in your experience the older bottlings had a bit more fruit/sherry influence?
That's my general feeling yes. It has been a year or so, so maybe it's me. But I think it's gotten a bit more spice forward, more of a toasted note, and less sherry. Still well made stuff.
@@topshelfdustin3060 great insight, thank you!
If we're talking straight value, then it's very hard to top Loch Lomond 12 for under $35; but I think Craigellachie 13 for about $50 is about as delicious & well-made as anything under $100.
Others that to consider as far as value goes are Ardbeg Uigeadail, Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength, Bunnahabhain 12 Cask Strength, and Glen Scotia's own Victoriana.
Some interesting options in there. If the Bunna 12 CS becomes consistently the same as the 2022 and it's available, that would make the list (though the 21 release was exactly 100 here). For the rest, I'd take this to be honest, especially over Victoriana.
@@topshelfdustin3060 I've never actually done a side-by-side of the 18 and the Victoriana, so I'll take your word on that. Victoriana is a divisive bottle; no doubt there's batch variation, and being NAS doesn't go over well with the online mob, but I'm a fan ✌️
@@MrChristopherMolloy I like them both, but the 15 really does have a nice bit more refinement.
@@topshelfdustin3060 I've got them both in my stash, so I think I need to do a side-by-side.