Glen Scotia is one of those distilleries that flies under the radar, even though it’s been around since 1832. Tucked away in Campbeltown, a once-booming Scotch region now home to just three distilleries, Glen Scotia sticks to tradition and turns out serious single malt. Their recently re-released 10-Year-Old is a nod to the old-school Campbeltown style, with a coastal influence and bourbon barrel backbone that make it stand out in a crowded category.
Glen Scotia 10-Year-Old Composition and Proof
Mashbill: 100% malted barley from Scotland’s east coast
Aging: 10 years in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels
ABV / Proof: 40% ABV (80 proof)
Filtration: Non-chill filtered
Water Source: Crosshill Loch
Still Type: Swan neck copper pot stills
Warehouse Style: Traditional dunnage and palletized warehouses near the sea
Glen Scotia 10-Year-Old Background
Campbeltown used to be the whisky capital of Scotland. At one point, more than two dozen distilleries operated in the tiny coastal town. These days, only three remain, Glen Scotia being one of them. And while others leaned into modernization or cult followings, Glen Scotia kept things quiet and focused on the fundamentals: heritage, quality, and that unmistakable salty edge from the ocean breeze.
The distillery still uses much of its original layout from the 1830s, including the stillroom and dunnage warehouse. That old-world feel carries through in the whisky itself. There’s something comforting about a distillery that doesn’t need a rebrand every few years to stay relevant.
In 2025, Glen Scotia partnered with Foley Family Wines & Spirits to expand its U.S. reach. That move brought this 10-Year-Old expression back into the spotlight, making it more widely available to Scotch fans on this side of the Atlantic.
The 10-Year is unpeated, non-chill filtered, and aged entirely in first-fill bourbon barrels. That combo lets the Campbeltown character shine through while still offering an approachable profile for newer Scotch drinkers. It’s a good example of Glen Scotia’s ability to bridge traditional styles with modern palates.
Iain McAlister, the distillery’s longtime Master Distiller, deserves a lot of credit here. A Campbeltown native, McAlister has helped guide Glen Scotia back into relevance over the last decade. Under his watch, the distillery has racked up some serious awards, including Best in Show at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its 25-Year-Old.
Glen Scotia 10-Year-Old Review
The Glen Scotia 10-Year-Old comes in a clean, no-frills bottle that feels right at home on a back bar or home shelf. You can see the pale gold whisky clearly, and the navy and gold label leans traditional without trying too hard. There’s a quiet confidence to the design—just like the whisky inside.
Nose
The nose immediately hits you with cinnamon, then leads with a soft hit of citrus, that’s somehow reminiscent of the sea breeze. Eventually, the nose is followed by toasted oak and hefty amount of green apple. Once yu pick up on the green apple in the nose, it doesn’t go away.
It’s bright and fresh, with a touch of spice and salinity that reminds you this comes from a place where the ocean is never far away.
Score: 8.9/10
Palate and Finish
All the fruit and citrus that you got on the nose disappears once you take a sip.
On the palate, things turn richer. There’s brown sugar up front, right before ginger hits your palette. Then some orange marmalade and pineapple, all wrapped in a layer of creamy vanilla, that one can only assume comes straight from the bourbon barrels.
The finish is smooth and slow, with the iconic smokiness of scotch lingering around.
On top of many things, the palette reminded me that this pour would make an great base liquor for our “Smoky Scotch Old Fashioned“.
Score: 9.1/10
Value
This is a great entrypoint into Cambeltown scotches.
At $74.99, this is a bottle that punches above its price point in today’s single malt market. It’s age-stated, non-chill filtered, and comes from one of the most historic regions in Scotland. You’re getting a decade in the barrel and a true regional character without the markup that comes with trendier brands.
For Scotch drinkers who’ve mostly stuck to Speyside or Highland bottles, Glen Scotia offers a different perspective. This isn’t smoky like Islay or delicate like Lowland—it’s somewhere in between, with texture, depth, and a salty breeze behind it. For under $80, that’s worth a pour.
Bourbon Dose Final Score
Glen Scotia 10-Year-Old is a reminder that not every great whisky needs to come with a marketing gimmick. It’s well-made, regionally distinctive, and genuinely enjoyable to drink. Whether you’re just getting into Scotch or looking to revisit a classic style, this bottle delivers.
Will definitely be buying this one again.
Final Verdict: 8.6/10
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glen Scotia a good whisky?
Yes, Glen Scotia is widely respected among Scotch enthusiasts. It has won major awards, including “Best in Show Whisky” at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The 10-Year-Old release offers excellent value and showcases the classic Campbeltown style: oily, coastal, and complex.
What does Glen Scotia 10 taste like?
It is a non-peated single malt with notes of sea spray, green apple, brown sugar, citrus, and creamy vanilla. It finishes with gentle spice—think cinnamon and ginger—with a long, smooth mouthfeel.
Is Glen Scotia peated or unpeated?
Glen Scotia makes both peated and unpeated whiskies. The 10-Year-Old expression is unpeated, focusing on the maritime and bourbon cask influences rather than smoke.
What region of Scotland is Glen Scotia from?
Glen Scotia comes from Campbeltown, one of Scotland’s five official whisky regions. Once home to more than 25 distilleries, Campbeltown now has just three: Glen Scotia, Springbank, and Glengyle.
Who owns Glen Scotia Scotch?
Glen Scotia is distributed in the United States by Foley Family Wines & Spirits as of 2025. The distillery itself is part of the Loch Lomond Group, a well-known Scotch producer.
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