Glen Scotia unveils Icons of Campbeltown no.4 whisky - inspired by the Griffin
The Campbeltown distillery has added to its folklore series of whiskies with a 12 year old unpeated dram.
Multi-award winning Campbeltown distillery, Glen Scotia, has revealed the fourth expression in its Icons of Campbeltown series, a five-part annual collection inspired by folklore tales of Scotland’s smallest whisky making region.
Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4 is a limited-edition 12-year-old, unpeated single malt that pays homage to the Griffin, a legendary creature said to have been a guardian of Campbeltown’s harbour, whisky and bold character.
Campbeltown, once known as the whisky capital of the world in the Victorian era, is a town with mythical history carved into its streets. The Icons of Campbeltown series is inspired by the carvings of saints and beasts on Campbeltown's 14th century market cross, which is shrouded in myth and lore.
Among the markings is a depiction of the Griffin - a half eagle, half lion. As the legend goes, the Griffin was a creature of strength, vigilance and protection which kept watch high above the harbour, guarding what Campbeltown valued most, its whisky.
Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4 was finished in Vin Santo wine casks, bringing a rich honeyed sweetness layered with notes of dried apricot and sultana.
The team say that the tasting notes include: “toasted almond and hazelnut add depth and warmth, while a gentle hint of cinnamon spice lingers on the palate. Underneath it all, Glen Scotia's unmistakable coastal character soars through with the same quiet confidence the series has traced through each release so far.”
Ashley Smith, master blender at Glen Scotia, said: “Our small town has so many exceptional stories to tell, and The Icons of Campbeltown series brings this incredible folklore to life.
“The Griffin stood watch over Campbeltown for hundreds of years, and that's exactly how I think of our distillery team, as the guardians of Glen Scotia's whisky. Every cask that leaves here has been shaped by people protecting a character that has come to be loved all over the world, through skill built up over generations.
“For this release, I wanted a cask that would truly complement that character, so we finished the whisky in Vin Santo casks. They've brought a honeyed sweetness and dried fruit, with toasted almond and warming cinnamon on the finish, with our distinctive coastal salt character anchoring it all.”
To mark the launch, Glen Scotia is offering the chance to win a trip to Campbeltown when purchasing Icons of Campbeltown Release No. 4 through its website.
During this once in a lifetime experience, the winner will meet the team, the guardians of Glen Scotia, explore the distillery, taste the whisky in the place that shaped it, and discover the people, craftsmanship and community spirit behind the town’s big Campbeltown character where it was born.
Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4 is bottled at batch strength, 53.8% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural in colour.
It retails at £80 and is available now from Glen Scotia's website and specialist retailers in the UK and globally. You can buy a bottle here.
Glen Scotia has continued to work with artist Joel Holtzman on the series' artwork. Holtzman's previous work includes projects for Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm.
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