Glen Scotia Double Cask
You hear a lot of good things about distilleries from the Scottish coastal town of Campbeltown in recent years. It's hard to have a conversation about Glen Scotia without someone steering the topic towards Springbank, which everyone agrees is better in every way. Is that really true?Double Cask is an NAS Scotch with Glen Scotia single malt matured in first-fill ex-bourbon casks and aged for up to a year in Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks. Up to one year - a wild time specification.
Tasting Notes
Nose
More intense than expected. Honey, vanilla, candied fruits, as you know them from the fair and a bunch of peach. If the whisky lingers a little in the glass, we perceive hints of leather (yes, exactly the section for leather shoes in the shoe shop), herbs and clear sherry notes. A floral note, as well as something woody, which is more reminiscent of a burnt match, can also be detected.
Palate
Dry - really dust-dry - a lot of spicy oak lies mouth-filling in the foreground. Left and right we find a bit of cinnamon, some peanuts, dried fruit (dates, apricots and peach) and a dominant vanilla.
Finish
The finish drags - like chewing gum - spicy-intense, as well as earthy-leathery and has a dominant note of Swiss herbal bonbons.
Thoughts
Marcel 87/100
This Glen Scotia Double Cask is a genuine surprise hit – packed full of character and drinkability that you often miss in some pricier malts. For less than half the price of a Springbank 10, it offers significantly more enjoyment and an exciting, spicy depth. Anyone looking for a delicious, straightforward Campbeltown whisky with plenty of personality should definitely snap this up.
Sascha 83/100
The Glen Scotia Double Cask demonstrates a remarkable balance between intense sherry notes and a spicy oak structure, making it highly competitive compared to the Springbank 10. The complex aroma profile featuring leather, herbs, and dried fruits is supported by a long-lasting, spicy finish, with the cask combination well harmonized. For the price, this Campbeltown whisky delivers a convincing interplay of structure and character that shouldn’t be underestimated.
Value for Money: Excellent
💸 This whisky offers an outstanding value for money and is our value pick.
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What does maturation in first-fill ex-bourbon and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks mean for the taste of the Glen Scotia Double Cask?
Maturation in first-fill ex-bourbon casks imparts notes of vanilla, honey, and spicy oak to the whisky, while aging in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks adds fruity and sweet aromas such as candied fruits, peach, and dried fruits. This combination creates a complex flavor profile balanced between dry and sweet elements.
How does Glen Scotia Double Cask differ from other Campbeltown whiskies, especially Springbank?
Glen Scotia Double Cask is a no-age-statement single malt that emphasizes sweeter and spicier notes through its combination of bourbon and sherry cask maturation. In contrast, Springbank is known for its more complex, often peatier and maritime aromas. Both represent the Campbeltown region but offer distinct flavor profiles and styles.
What flavors can you expect on the finish of the Glen Scotia Double Cask?
The finish of the Glen Scotia Double Cask is long and intensely spicy with earthy, leathery notes. Characteristic hints of Swiss herbal candies add a fresh, slightly sweet herbal nuance to the finish.