New Release: Glen Scotia 2003-2015 12yo Official Limited Edition for The Whisky Hoop #83 58.2%

A wonderful official bottle that evokes the essence of The Whisky Hoop, this is the first one. Glen Scotia GLENSCOTIA 2003-2015 12yo OB LIMITED EDITION for THE WHISKY HOOP #83 58.2% One of 257 bottles The aroma features a strong malty scent reminiscent of freshly baked bread, along with ginger, vanilla, apricot jam, plum, a touch of mirin or cheese, orange cream, minerals, and a smoky undertone with grassy notes. On the palate, it is spicy yet viscous, with rich flavors of apricot jam, orange cream, vanilla, and a savory depth from the malt. There's also a cheese-like umami quality, a robust smokiness with tar notes, a honeyed sweetness, and a briny touch. The finish is smooth and pleasant without any lingering bitterness. [Good/Very Good, Interesting] This is an official single cask Glen Scotia 2003, aged for 12 years. While often overshadowed by Springbank in Campbeltown, recent releases of Scottish official bottlings have been impressive. This time, The Whisky Hoop managed to bottle two official single casks from Glen Scotia. This particular form of Scottish official single cask bottling is new to me, and I've never encountered it before. First, the 2003 distillation. Despite the short aging period, it's not particularly complex. However, its base is a strong malty character with hints of baked bread and ginger, complemented by concentrated fruity notes like jam. It also exhibits a creaminess typical of recent Glen Scotias, along with cheese-like elements and a subtle peat reminiscent of Springbank from the same region. It doesn't feel young at all. When tasted, it has a concentrated and creamy texture with a stronger peat presence than the aroma. The malt's umami is rich, and the sweetness has a deep, honey-like quality. It's slightly briny in a Campbeltown way but lacks any unpleasant sharpness or greenness, making it very pleasant to drink. Perhaps the creaminess and peat wrap around a certain sharpness, giving it an unexpected quality that doesn't feel like a post-2000 distillation. Strangely, it feels cohesive and unified. As an official bottling, I think it's a wonderful bottle that reflects recent house styles.