Glen Scotia

Introduction:

The Glen Scotia Distillery is known for its range of official bottlings, which include a variety of aged Single Malt whiskies. The current lineup consists of a 10-year-old, 12-year-old, 16-year-old, 18-year-old, and 21-year-old expression. The 12-year-old replaced the previous 14-year-old release in 2005. Additionally, the distillery has occasionally produced Distillery Select bottlings with higher levels of peatiness. Independent bottlings of Glen Scotia whiskies have been relatively rare, with Gordon & MacPhail being one of the few to release such editions.

The Production:

Glen Scotia operates as a relatively small-scale distillery, producing approximately 750,000 liters of whisky per year. The distillery sources its water from Crosshill Loch and a nearby deep well. The Campbeltown area, where the distillery is located, has a rich history of whisky production, although it has experienced significant fluctuations in the industry over the years. Today, Glen Scotia is one of only three active distilleries in the town.

The Pot Stills:

Glen Scotia uses two pot stills in its production process. One is a wash still with a capacity of 16,000 liters, while the other is a spirit still with a capacity of 12,000 liters. These pot stills have an onion shape, characterized by wide and short necks. The lyne arms, which connect the necks to the condensers, have an unusual almost horizontal layout.

The Maltings:

For its malted barley, Glen Scotia relies on Greencore Maltings, a company located in southwest Scotland. The malt used by the distillery is lightly peated, imparting a smoky character to the whisky similar to its neighboring Campbeltown distillery, Springbank.

The Warehouse:

Glen Scotia ages its single malt whisky in American Oak casks and maintains an on-site bonded warehouse with a capacity of up to 7,500 casks. These casks play a crucial role in the maturation process, influencing the flavors and characteristics of the whisky over time.

History

Glen Scotia’s history is filled with dramatic events. The distillery was founded in 1832 by the Galbraith family, but it changed hands several times over the years. Notably, one of its previous owners, Duncan McCallum, tragically drowned himself in the Campbeltown Loch after suffering financial ruin from a dubious business deal. Glen Scotia survived challenging periods, such as Prohibition and economic hardships, under different ownerships until it came under the possession of Glen Catrine Bonded Warehouse Ltd, which operates the distillery today.

Visitor’s Centre:

Unfortunately, Glen Scotia does not have a dedicated visitor’s center. However, it is possible to arrange a tour of the distillery by appointment, allowing visitors to explore its facilities and learn more about its whisky production process.

Visitor information:

The Glen Scotia Distillery
12 High Street
Campbeltown
Argyll PA28 6DS
Tel: 01389-752781