Custodians can select from one of four pack designs from the ‘Spirit Safe’ collection
Whisky pays homage to Glen Scotia’s enduring spirit and fascinating history
Glen Scotia has unveiled a remarkable new 30 Year Old single malt (non-chill filtered, 47.3% ABV, RRP: £2,000), which is being released as part of its new ‘Spirit Safe’ collection with the distillery’s artist-in-residence, Alice Angus.
The collection continues the partnership with the Scottish artist who initially spent several months in Campbeltown sketching and painting the magic of the distillery and its surrounding environment, before curating four incredible artworks.
For the first time, these four works will be presented on a highly limited run of 120 premium display boxes and bottle labels, giving consumers a chance to own a piece of this collaboration, and a very special and rare Glen Scotia single malt whisky.
Matured in European oak casks, the whisky has thick perfumed floral notes of violet and lavender, which intertwine with sea spray. On the palate, there are hints of fresh green apple and silky pear followed by ginger and dark chocolate before a long finish with a roasted sugar sweetness.
The liquid would have initially been laid down in 1989 – a year that marked the reopening of the Glen Scotia distillery following a five-year pause in production, a change of ownership, and renovations to serve a remerging global demand for whisky. It was a brief chapter in the distillery’s history, with very few precious casks remaining from this decade.
The casks remained under the watchful eye of the distillery team, and the Spirit Safe collection pays homage to Glen Scotia’s enduring history, craftsmanship and traditional equipment through the ages.
The stories have been immortalised in each of the four-pack designs, which include: First Water, Heart of the Run, Labour of Years, Time and Tide.
Iain McAlister, Distillery Manager and Master Distiller at Glen Scotia, said: “This is a remarkable launch for us – not only are we unveiling a very special highly limited 30-Year-Old single malt whisky, but also this stunning packaging from our artist-in-residence and friend, Alice Angus. Her artworks are a reminder of the fascinating history of Glen Scotia through the ages. Now commemorated in the Spirit Safe collection, these are a wonderful addition to any whisky enthusiast’s collection.
“The liquid itself is an incredibly distinguished single malt whisky. It is intriguing to look back upon the creation and craft of a distillery team from a different era, who have created a whisky full of flavour and personality, from the freshness of the apples to the spice of the ginger, and that wonderful long, sugary and saline finish.”
Alice Angus, Glen Scotia artist-in-residence, added: “My Spirit Safe series is inspired by the generations of dedicated people, the Campbeltown community, the unique landscape, the ingredients, skills, engineering, and care that goes into making Glen Scotia; and all rhythms of time across hours, years, and decades involved in its creation.
“What started as a one-off residency has grown into a longer-term partnership of new projects and exciting collaborations. Glen Scotia is a mesmerising place, and I am so grateful to the team for always making me welcome, supporting my work and sharing their stories and knowledge. This collection is a homage to them and all that came before, and I am already looking forward to seeing where else our partnership together might go.”
Glen Scotia plans to sell Alice Angus’ four original artworks with profits going to various charitable causes. In the meantime, this limited edition allows a very lucky few whisky enthusiasts to own a very special piece of this collaboration and a whisky with a remarkable heritage.
The Spirit Safe collection is available now via the Glen Scotia website and specialist retailers. Presented in a rigid premium display box and premium bottle (reserved for rare and high-aged liquid), each bears gold metalware to the shoulder and Alice Angus’ signature on the label and box.
The liquid was sampled by Alice and Iain, during Alice’s residency, and can be seen in the following video, during a particularly cold week in Campbeltown.
Glen Scotia 30YO ‘Spirit Safe’ collection tasting notes:
- Nose: Thick perfumed floral notes of violet and lavender are intertwined with bracing sea spray
- Palette: Freshly sliced green apple and silky honeyed pear followed by ground ginger spice and dark chocolate
- Finish: Long with a roasted sugar sweetness
Further details on Alice Angus’ artworks:
- First Water – inspired by the moment the barley, which is milled in a machine dating from the 50s, meets water, which is sourced from the Crosshill Loch, as it pours out of the copper pipe into the steaming mash tun.
- Heart of the Run – inspired by the heat, steam, smells and sound of the still room, and the skill involved in knowing, just at the right moment, when the spirit is ready.
- Labour of Years – inspired by the generations of distillery workers who have watched over thousands of casks, which impart the flavours of Glen Scotia’s award-winning range of single malts.
- Time and Tide – inspired by Glen Scotia’s habitat on the Campbeltown Loch, the small sea loch near the south of the Kintyre Peninsula, and the surprise people who journey to this malt-making region feel when they find palm trees growing in the warm gulf stream climate, next to hardy gorse, eiders cooking and ravens croaking overhead.
About Glen Scotia
Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown. Producing peated and non-peated whiskies, the distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the fermenters, the stillroom, and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s.To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, and carefully creating the subtly maritime Campbeltown style the brand has become world-famous for.
Recognition of Glen Scotia’s style and craftsmanship continues to be acknowledged globally.
- In 2021, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old Single Malt whisky was awarded ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Over 3,800 entries across thirty-one categories were judged with Glen Scotia being awarded the overall winner across all countries and styles. Only seven months later, Glen Scotia was also named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2021.
- In 2022, Glen Scotia’s Victoriana won Best In Class in the Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
- In 2023, Glen Scotia won ‘Best Single Cask Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards 2023 for a single cask bottling distilled in 2009 and aged for 13 years exclusively in a first-fill bourbon barrel. Glen Scotia 25 YO was also awarded its second double Platinum at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023 – another first for any distillery.
