Glen Scotia 17 Year (2002), SMWS 93.128 "Smoke and smugglers"
Whisky: Glen Scotia 17 Year (2002), SMWS 93.128 "Smoke and smugglers"
Country/Region: Scotland/Campbeltown
ABV: 54.9%
Cask: Refill Bourbon Hogshead
Age: 17 Years (Distilled 6 May 2002)
Nose: Malty and chocolatey with wispy smoke, crispy bacon, wood, tar, and brine; milk chocolate and malt, tropical fruits later on.
Palate: Medium-bodied, oily, tropical fruits, honey, a touch of cream, wispy smoke and char, soft brine throughout; cocoa powder and chocolate covered fruits.
Finish: Medium to long with cocoa powder, brine, and a touch of tropical fruit.
Score: 8 (87)
Mental Image: Pirates of the New Age
Narrative & Notes: It was all chocolate milk and Ovaltine on a pirate ship with this Glen Scotia: wispy smoke from the cannons, wooden decking, a touch of tar, the salty brine below, and rich notes of milk chocolate, malt, and cocoa powder. Crates of tropical fruits sat below decks with cherimoya, soursop, and mango— a breakfast fruit bowl for the crew with a side of crispy bacon? Medium-bodied and oily with much the same, though in reverse with sliced tropical fruits and tangy honey-drizzled yogurt coming out on top while wispy smoke, char, and wood sat further back along a briny line that carried to the finish. Cocoa powder, bittersweet cacao nibs, and malty confections lingered at the end with a touch of chocolate covered fruit. The finish was medium-length with cocoa powder, brine, and mellow tropical fruit.
Maybe it is a longing for a simpler and more innocent time in my life, but the gentle aroma and palate with its touch of tingling pepper on the finish put the mellow vibes of Enya and late-90s New Age music to mind. There were pirates amongst the flavors, certainly, but something more like the friendly romanticized pirates of Disney or the literary ones that inspired Stede Bonnet to drop everything and set out for the sea.
Overall, a real delight and very similar to its sibling casks from SMWS. I would give this a slight edge as it was more maritime and balanced between the cocoa, wood, and wispy smoke. The tropical fruit notes provided a good digression and came out stronger on the nose and palate with a bit of water.
