Whisky: Glen Scotia 32 Year (1991), SMWS 93.207 “Harbourside hoopla”

Country/Region: Scotland/Campbeltown

ABV: 52%

Cask: 2nd Fill Bourbon Barrel

Age: 32 Years (Distilled 1 Oct. 1991)

Nose: Maritime, hessian, wood, oranges and cream, slightly floral, lacquered wood, patchouli, fragrant spice, a touch of earth.

Palate: Medium-bodied, woody, waxier over time, maritime, hessian, cloth, wood, charcoal and tar, herbal, tobacco, subtle orange and clove.

Finish: Long and mellow with black pepper and mango.

Score: 8 (87)

Mental Image: Loitering in the Harbor Car Park

Narrative & Notes: Coastal and maritime with hessian and burlap sacks left among wooden creates of mandarin oranges and orange cream soda.  Mellow and slightly floral at times with lacquered wood and patchouli mixing with black cardamon and cinnamon. A touch of earth lingered in the background, petrichor the wife called it, but it reminded me more of a rocky unfinished harbor parking lot.  Medium-bodied on the palate, initially woody, but waxier over time.  Maritime and herbal with hessian, waxed sail cloth, weathered wooden docks, charcoal pencils, and hints of tar.  Herbal and spicy with dry tobacco leaves mixed with orange rind and cloves.  The finish was long with mellow cracked black pepper and mango.

One of the more aptly named bottles from SMWS, this was a maritime delight with plenty of brine, old wood, herbs, and fruits.  After trying so many Springbank products during our time in Campbeltown and not getting a chance to do much more than take a quick walk-by of Glen Scotia, I took my chance at SMWS’s Bath St. bar to grab a pour.  I briefly considered grabbing the bottle— or a similar one, I forget which exactly— but ended up bringing home a significantly more affordable Bowmore instead.

Overall, this had just about everything I want on such an old malt.  It was fairly tame considering the reputation of early 90s Glen Scotia, with no real rough spots or sharp edges.  It was a touch woody for my taste and I wish more of the fruit on the nose and finish came through on the palate, but it was also rather nostalgic and sweet with memories of watching sail boats and climbing on rocky harbor jetties.