Campbeltown, Scotland – Glen Scotia has announced the highly anticipated release of its Elements of Campbeltown Collection, a new series that begins with a milestone whisky: a 50-year-old expression that marks the distillery’s oldest-ever release. The collection draws inspiration from the Celtic Quintuplet Knot, symbolizing the harmonious balance of air, water, fire, earth, and the central element: spirit. Each whisky in the series will showcase the influence of these elements on the distillery’s oldest casks, adding a unique touch to each release.
Introducing the First Release: Air
The inaugural release in this prestigious collection is titled “Air,” reflecting the maritime climate of Campbeltown. Glen Scotia believes that the region’s sea breeze and coastal weather play a vital role in imparting character to its casks over time. The 50-year-old whisky, distilled in 1973, was aged in refilled American oak casks before being bottled in 2024 at 42.3% ABV.
Tasting Notes and Character
Glen Scotia has crafted a whisky that offers elegant complexity and depth, shaped by half a century of maturation. The whisky presents aromas of almond flakes, vanilla fudge, and sweet edible seaweed, while the palate brings a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors, along with white pepper, ginger powder, and a coconut finish that lingers. The distillery claims that the whisky’s subtle wood influence highlights its character, offering a refined taste experience.
Michael Henry, the Loch Lomond Group Master Blender, shared his excitement about the whisky’s creation: “It is a privilege to be responsible for the creation of a whisky of this age and to see its character shaped and molded by the passage of time. With the launch of the Glen Scotia Milestone Series, I hope to give people the opportunity to experience the character of our distillery in this extraordinary era and see how time has shaped it.”
Artistic Collaboration: A Tribute to Campbeltown’s Elements
To complement the Air whisky release, Glen Scotia collaborated with artist Gina Parr, who created a stunning oil painting inspired by the concept of “air” within the distillery’s dunnage warehouse. Parr, who is drawn to the natural beauty of Campbeltown, explained her creative process: “The stunning landscapes and textures, the beautiful curve of the harbour – all of which shaped my creative process. The smells of the distillery are intoxicating in the most wonderful way, weaving together the town, the steam of the spirits and the salty sea breeze into an evocative experience.”
A Glimpse Into Future Releases
As part of the Elements of Campbeltown series, Glen Scotia plans to explore the interaction of each of the five elements with the whisky in future releases. The distillery’s careful attention to cask management and the character of the spirit will continue to drive the series, offering whisky connoisseurs an incredible journey through the brand’s past, present, and future.
The debut of Air marks the beginning of a new chapter for Glen Scotia, a distillery deeply rooted in history but committed to pushing boundaries with age-old traditions and modern craftsmanship.
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