Glen Scotia, the historic Campbeltown distillery, has unveiled its oldest whisky to date, the Glen Scotia 50-Year-Old, the first release in the new Elements of Campbeltown collection. This inaugural expression, titled ‘Air’, pays tribute to the maritime climate that defines the region and the distillery’s heritage.
Distilled in 1973 and bottled in 2024 at a natural cask strength of 42.3% ABV, the whisky matured exclusively in refill American oak hogshead casks. This maturation preserved Glen Scotia’s signature character while allowing the coastal influence to impart subtle nuances over five decades. The resulting single malt offers a rich tapestry of aromas, including flaked almonds, vanilla fudge, glazed apple tart, and sweet seaweed. On the palate, it presents a creamy texture with notes of white pepper, powdered ginger, and a lingering coconut finish.
The Elements of Campbeltown collection draws inspiration from the Celtic five-fold knot, symbolising the harmony of air, water, fire, earth, and spirit. Each release in the series will focus on one of these elements, showcasing how it influences the whisky’s character. ‘Air’ captures the essence of Campbeltown’s salty sea breezes and the unique atmosphere of Glen Scotia’s historic dunnage warehouse.
Michael Henry, Loch Lomond Group master blender, said: “Responsibility for whisky of this age, where the passage of time shapes and moulds the character of the spirit is a privilege. With the first release in this milestone collection for Glen Scotia, I want to give people the opportunity to experience our distillery character at this remarkable age and showcase how time has shaped it. Matured exclusively in American oak, with its more subtle, supportive cask influence, the character shines through. Bringing this whisky to its optimum condition has been through knowing the character of the spirit, its interplay with the wood and thoughtful cask management, with a vision already laid down for future releases that will bring people on an incredible journey.”
To commemorate the release, Glen Scotia collaborated with UK artist Gina Parr, who created an original oil painting inspired by the distillery’s coastal environment and the element of air. This artwork adorns the cabinet doors of each of the 100 individually numbered crystal decanters. The presentation also includes a bespoke Glencairn crystal decanter, a brass stopper featuring a Celtic knot, and a hardback book detailing the whisky’s story.
Gina Parr said: “Glen Scotia 50 Year Old started life in the same year I embarked on my own creative journey. For me, this beautifully matured whisky mirrors my art practice – rooted in history, shaped by dedication, and inspired by nature and the elements, which are always sensory and deeply emotive. I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to collaborate with Glen Scotia for this very special release. My work is driven by the sights and experiences of living and working in a coastal town in Devon. I love being by the sea, so I knew I would be inspired by Campbeltown. But there was so much I didn’t anticipate – the stunning landscapes and textures, the beautiful curve of the harbour – all of which shaped the creative process. The distillery itself was awe-inspiring. The smells were overwhelming in the most wonderful way, weaving together the town, the spirit vapour, and the salty sea air into one evocative experience.”
Glen Scotia has been producing whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of only three surviving distilleries in the town, which was once known as the ‘Victorian whisky capital of the world’. Maintaining much of its original design, including the stillroom and the dunnage warehouse, the distillery continues to use traditional methods to create the subtly maritime Campbeltown style it is renowned for.
Limited to 100 decanters worldwide, with a recommended retail price of £35,000, the Glen Scotia Elements of Campbeltown Release Number One – Air is available by enquiry at glenscotia.com
