Glen Scotia VICTORIANA (Old vs New) Comparison | Review by Malt Activist
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- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
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After the spirited debate of the last two days it's only fair that we do a review of the older Glen Scotia Victoriana Single Malt Scotch Whisky which comes in at 51.5% compared to the newer version which is bottled at 54.2% ABV
Which one do you think comes out on top?
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 INTRO
01:31 INITIAL THOUGHTS
09:44 GS VICTORIANA 54.2%
13:08 GS VICTORIANA 51.5%
21:01 FINAL THOUGHTS
Ralfy has a great breakdown on the old Victoriana. His suspicions is that they had a couple of old casks in the warehouse that were under the legal minimum ABV, and so they mixed them with higher proof younger whiskies and bottled it as a NAS.
Oh really? Let me have a look. Thanks!
Glad you were able to compare the two versions. Super helpful since I didn't know there were two version
Three versions Lito. Check out my comment.
I have the 54.2% but it's a newer design. I really like it. Wouldn't call it whisky of the year though... in fact I don't understand "Whisky of the year"... makes no sense to me. If I had the money to buy now a Laphroaig 25, that would be my whisky of the year. They need to be separated in categories. This would be NAS, Cask Strength, slightly peated whiskies category, and it could win.
Good job 👏
Cheers!
I have a bottle of the 51.5% and found it fantastic. While I've had many better drams, I was really perplexed by just how average you found your bottle haha but this seems to explain it. Great follow up video! Haven't tried the 54.2%, but will hold off buying a bottle until I do 😂
Please don't do it on my account! Get it - maybe you'll like it better!
This video sums up one of the biggest issues with the OSWAs or any similar crowd-sourced awards. We’re not all drinking the same stuff!
That might be true. Or people voting for stuff they THINK is good without really having drunk it. Very hard to validate votes when they come from so many different sources. Of course this is just conjecture on my part.
Thanks for that mate! Well, not really, because you just told me that I have to find the old one now 😁 Nice review and nice thought you had to compare these 2 👍
cheers
Mystery solved. Bravo 👏👍
Elementary, my dear Sandro....
Also worth mentioning is that another effect of the value echo chamber may be that people voted according to what they want for the future as a message to Scotch producers and the industry, more than they voted according to what they believe about the present. So NAS needs to be emphasized to bring bottle prices down for example.
It's entirely possible... But are they really listening?
@@MaltActivist What u doubt the OSWA gospel?! Actually, I do believe many r
listening, at least the ones I care about, like GS and the newer distilleries - they really aren’t in a position to compete with the big boys anyway so the increasingly crowded field increases the competition within this smaller fish pond in which we nerds swim and spend money on integrity bottlings.
Hi Malt activist !!
I wanted to respond to your review on the Glen Scotia 54.2, but I didn't want to burst your bubble, and I have never drank it before, but the 51.5 is a superb whiskey, I had heard about 54.2 being not so good. I have 2 and half bottles, and I don't share it with anybody, it's that good to me, I do however get chocolate on the nose and palate, I will tell you next time I disagree with you on a whiskey, I'm glad you enjoyed your dram of the older bottle, and I always drink my whiskeys in the morning because my sense's are heightened, cheers brother and keep the great videos coming !!!
Thank you Frankie! Please do comment if you disagree - I have very thick skin (I am after all on the INTERNET!!) 😀
@@MaltActivist
I will tell you next time when I know about what you are drinking that may help, but I'm not a person that likes to argue with anyone, I just knew you were drinking the newer version of gs and because I have never drank the newer one 54. 2, but I believe those that voted 🗳 on the oswa's were drinking 51.5 abv, just my opinion, thanks brother and happy Thanksgiving and merry Christmas, cheers !!!
@@frankiehawkins3877 Merry Xmas!
Why must you ruined it for me my friend? The last bottle in Oklahoma City is a 51.5%. I was going to open and taste it. Now I have to just keep it, until I can find another bottle. Argh!
There will be a new batch, probably
Just open it man !
It would taste so much better in a nice Malt Activist copito
Well nuts, last years 2021 OSWA nominations for the Victoriana put me the hunt for a bottle which was very difficult to find for a few months but I was able to buy one online. My bottle is the newer version with higher ABV. I did add 2 ml of water to one ounce of the whisky which seemed to help with the taste. Next I'll try 3 ml of water. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you like it.
Good Video! Now try a Turkish Tea Glas for Whisky drinking 😃
OK if you insist
Interesting! I have both the 51,5% and 54,2% and I much prefer the 54,2%. After doing some research, there seem to be batches within the batches. In fact, the 51,5% version is not batch #1. It is the original 2015 release. Batch #1 came in 2018 at 54,8% and the 54,2% version is called Cask Strength and came in 2019. Of this Cask Strength there are several batches. I dont know about the consistency of Cask Strength version but I guess that there are some variations. I think that the lion part of people who voted for Victoriana as #1 (including me) had the 54,2% version. See if you can get another version of the 54,2% and redo the tasting (blind) with these two.
Hey Martin. Thanks for the detailed info. So I currently have the 2020 version. Which one do you think I should try and score? (bit of a long shot though)
@@MaltActivist Hi! Really hard to say. Just get any other 54,2% with a different bottling date. Hopefully it is better. I had two different and they are both good
How odd that I’m looking at my 51.5% bottle with a 2018 date. Batch 0.5?
They really should identify their versions by batch number and wear it with pride for we nerds! I heard there is some older juice in the first batch and everyone agrees it’s better.
Yeah that's what I feel too. But then again nerds aren't their target market I feel.
@@MaltActivist I think we r exactly
their market bec we r taking about the fish in our little pond, not those swimming in the depths with the big distilleries or conglomerates.
@@marclambert8596 😆fair enough!
I just opened a 2016 51.5% bottle and I must say it’s freaking amazing.
Right??? I'm so glad you agree.
I have been feeling the same about my bottle of the 54.2% but have been trying to give it the time it deserves. Anyhow, half way down the bottle and I suspect you are onto something. I will track down that previous version to do a side by side investigation too now.
Good luck!
The 51.5 was awesome, (but it has a bach variation also) much older (14+) spirit in the bouquet. in the first versions, (later it was not as successfull)
. The new version is just ok. No whisky of the year for me.
Fair enough!
I guess it became whisky of the year solely because it’s from Campbeltown. It’s a good whisky but not whisky of the year the version you’re talking about is also very old and I haven’t seen it on the shelves for like two years. I personally voted for Ledaig 18 and was sure it’s gonna be between ledaig or ancnoc.
That's pretty much what I said in the comments on the first review. It's Campbelltown, it's cask strength and you can buy it. I think I voted for the Ledaig 18 as well.
Aha, sitting on the fence are we? Is my ego big enough to allow me to admit I am wrong and others are right. NAH. There appears to be three versions of Victoriana. 51.5%, 54.8% and 54.2%. The 51.5% was released in 2015 and seems to be long gone apart from a couple of expensive miniatures. I don't think it was sold as cask strength but the two subsequent releases were sold as Cask Strength Batch 1 and Batch 2. I think most of the OSWA votes were relating to the Cask Strength batches. The mystery continues.
Is it really a mystery? I don't know. Like you said I think the only explanation is my ego not allowing me to admit I'm wrong! 😀
The ABV is likely going to change from batch to batch. I think the taste variance is going to be very much at the mercy of the life of the wood used and what it is giving up from year to year. The ABV, the fermentation, the cut can all be influenced and controlled, but there is always the element from the wood that throws a spanner in the works and a touch of unexplainable magic to the process of creation. Strangely Victoriana is a whisky I have looked at for a few years now, drawn to time and time again, and somehow put back on the shelf and buy something else. Maybe its time to buy carefully.
I honestly feel that any good distillery should be able to manage batch variance especially in the core range. I agree wood is tricky but that's why you have master blenders. OR..... release each batch on it's own merits and let people decide which they like better. I am certain that the earlier batches had some oldish juice in them which might explain a few things.
According to whisky base there are 11 different 51.5 releases between 2015 and 2018.
This may be the first time I have the "better" version. LMFAO. I may open it soon
Please do!
there's 1 on a shelf near me...but I don't know which it is...wish me luck my dear man
haha have a look and let me know!
I realise everyone's palate is different but your comparing an open bottle which appears to be well oxidized at apr. half bottle to a newly opened bottle with no oxidation to speak of. In my experience I will not rate a whisky until its been opened for at least 8-12 weeks and approaching 60% contents. In my short whisky journey of apr. 300 bottles the whisky always taste better after being open for this length of time but in this review you speak of this closed bottle with the excitement of A+ whisky while just being opened. This makes no sense but of course to each his own I guess. I do thank you for your reviews nevertheless and great looking bar collection behind you.........Slainte!
You're right Gman. But I did make the clarification at the top of the video and unfortunately I didn't have the luxury of waiting for my mini to settle over 12 weeks :-)
@@MaltActivist I totally understand........Cheers!
I have the 51.5%, but my vote went to Ancnoc 18.
Fair enough!
Wow! Of all the "stuff" going on in the world it's Kinda nice to get caught up in this "Tempest in a Teacup"!....as one vlogger says, "it's just whisky". Having said that I admire your integrity and grit to take this to the extent you have and having tasted the 51.5% you may recall my referring to it in one of my previous comments. It's Phenomenal!!! I didn't really enjoy my 2019 bottle of 54.2% but am really enjoying my25/02/2022 bottle. I think it's much more than decent and am so glad, as it keeps me from diving into my precious 2 bottles of 51.5%. And by the way, I've ordered my bottle of ardnamurchan CS as per you reference as well as anticipating my exporation of the Bunnahabain 12 CS. I have benefited so much from our "spirited " debates. Your thougths on this whole matter are Priceless! If the OWAs were to NOT invite you back, I would know a lot more about them than about you! Stay ever as you are!
That brings me to some final thoughts and the last question I have for you in connection with the whole "Victoriana Affair". I will throw this into the mix as to "why it won?". The first OSWAs had Victoriana as one of its Finalists and it didn't win But I would imagine that several folks were curious. If they finally tasted the most recent expression of Victoriana, as it seems a few other fellow vloggers have.....with Rave Reviews, That could have helped get it across the line, So to speak....the 25/02/2022 is really, really good....what a Rabbit Hole! So much for my "thoughts".
Now the big questions to you. Malt Activist, knowing how beautiful a dram the 51.5% Victoriana is and I have 2 unopened bottles....First, do you personally have Favorite whiskies that can not be replaced? If so, I'm curious, what that is? In light of the fact that you can not have you scotch and drink it too...How do you deal with your Favorite Whiskies? What would you do in my position? Currently I'm distracting myself with other very enjoyable whiskies. But, What would you do? What have you seen others do with their " Oh, my God I love this whisky and this is all there is"?Bottles.
M.A. I so look forward to your thoughts on my questions...
Hey Cecil ! Thank you so much for engaging me in our 'spirited debates' --- First up I'm going to have to find myself some 2022 bottles of the Victoriana (if they compare well to the 2015 then they should be very good).
With regards to my favorite whisky in the whole world I don't know if there is such a thing. I have too many to count! I know for a fact I can probably never replace my earlier bottles of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. I have a few complete sets. Some which I drank & some that are still sitting on my shelf. I know I'll get to them some day. I have a Yamazaki 25 that I procured many many years ago which is waiting for me. I have a Brora 30 from 2010 which is also my pride and joy. All amazing whiskies which I have tasted and luckily had the foresight to procure enough bottles to keep on my shelf.
One day I'll get to them. It will have to be a very special day but I will. Thank you for your enthusiasm and I really appreciate our candid conversations. Cheers.
@@MaltActivist Yo M.A., you just gave me a new point of view. The way I had been dealing with the super special bottles was to.... well kinda hoard them I have 5 unopened bottles of my very favorite heavily peated Islay Ardbeg Corryvreckan. It's jumped in price from $90 to $120+ so I have collected 5 at sub $90 and will get more if the price is right. I've gotten 4 bottles of Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength 2020 but it's possible that they will be releasing a 2022 so I'm hoping to get that at a decent price to ease the pressure there and then there's Victoriana. I've got the 2 bottles of 51.5% which one will become that very special bottle....
I also have 1 bottle each of 2019 Glendronach 15 and 18 yr. I have no idea when I will open them or my Springbank 15 or my Benriach 10 Curiositas and the 17 Septendecim.
You know I was certified as a sommelier in 1996 taught classes on understanding fine wine, wine dinners corporate seminars the whole lot. Aroma and taste was my stock and trade. Then in 2019 my wife wants to go to Paris and Edinburgh is only $68 away. I'm going to learn about Scotch and I'm all Speyside and Highlands and sherry expression blah,blah blah. Then a tasting at the Balmoral Hotel they say Springbank 10 I say sure and my life is changed forever. Now I'm the Full Spectrum of scotch! I'm learning as fast as I can! And folks like You keep me sharp!
Thanks again. I believe we've connected and I know more and can see more for the contact. I'll reach out again. In my short time in Scotch I have seen Glendronach drop, be exposed and disappear from discussions of excellent scotch. Kilchoman rise and Ardnamurchan!? Who would have thought I'd be buying that. And so much more but I think you know what I'm trying to say. We're in a whole new "Golden Age of Scotch" and I'm seeing happen. Wow! Understanding the Victoriana Saga....Whoa! I'm sure this will never end. The MALTYVERSE is Huge! And I believe I'm beginning to be able to handle, at least some of it and it's thanks to the internet and folks like You.
Thanks M.A. stay ever as you are.
@@cecilrobbins5182 May the force be with you
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?
wow! Thanks for the info. Would be interesting to line them all up and do a side by side tasting
Whiskies are sometimes like an old girlfriend. Sometimes you wonder, it could've, should've and maybe would've been this or that....heck, let's put this debate jarring squarely on OSWA. I think people need to drink the versions they have on hand and let the bygones be bygones unless you run into the old girlfriend, I mean a mini sampler 🤣😂
haha couldn't have put it better
'Dude get a life' 😂 ... whisky is life
Thats what I tell her
🤣🤣 What the heck is a boiled candy?
Did I say boiled candy? I meant hardboiled candy...
actually i don't think it worth so much attention. Whisky RUclipsrs are reviewing or re-reviewing it not becoz they think it's really good. it's just becoz of the OSWA result.
I reviewed it for the opposite reason if you see....
if u put this in some mediocre bottles, ppls have no better choice then choose this😂
To be fair there were some good expressions in the mix
No your not the minority its still meh. But you did put benchmark in your second place bourbon blind. 😉 so yea....
haha I stand by the Benchmark!
I smell BS.
I smell citrus and a hint of peat