PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Glen Scotia’s Icons of Campbeltown series celebrates local tales of beasts and saints, and each release’s artwork is drawn from the town’s own history. Release No. 2, The Dragon, takes its inspiration from the scene of Saint Michael, backed by an army of supporters, slaying a fire-breathing dragon with his spear, a scene carved into Campbeltown’s historic market cross. It is the second in a five-part series that began in 2023 with The Mermaid, a 12-year-old finished in Palo Cortado casks.
The whisky is a medium-peated 14-year-old single malt, matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished for six months in ex-Barolo red wine casks, then bottled at cask strength, 56.8% ABV (113.6 proof), non-chill filtered, with natural colour. Glen Scotia is one of only three active distilleries in Campbeltown, alongside Springbank and Glengyle, and Campbeltown whiskies are known for toffee, maritime salinity, and a hint of smoke. Here, the distillery says, “the bold maritime salinity and smoky peat are beautifully balanced by the wonderful sweetness of candied red fruits.”
The official notes describe a nose of “ocean spray, red berries, peat smoke,” a palate of “melted brown sugar, raspberry, cranberry, apple, vanilla,” and a finish that is “long, red cherries and swirling peat smoke.” The producer sums it up: “As silky as dragon’s fire and as bold as our community spirit. Decadently smoky with hints of fiery red candied fruits and berries, the finish is long with a dry spicey end note. A subtle maritime salinity leaves no question which distillery this limited edition hails from.”
Independent reviewers found a bold, smoky, fruit-and-peat whisky, with some disagreement about its balance. Whisky Saga scored it 89/100, finding “soft and nutty” notes of “almond paste and caramel pudding,” then “soot, ashes, wood smoke, coffee, and coal,” with “bright bursts of fresh and dried fruits” beneath the smoke: “balances dark, smoky elements with bright fruity highlights.” Dramface scored it 7/10, noting “a triple punch of peat, red fruit jam and maritime notes,” a whisky that “takes a good 30 minutes to really open up,” with a long finish of “red fruit, vanilla, phenolic peat, oak and spice.” The Whisky Edition was more critical, finding strong oak and a “bone-dry and astringent” palate, and called it “not a whisky for beginners” because it “needs time, air and a practised palate.” It’s a bold, high-proof Campbeltown dram for peat and cask-strength fans, and it rewards patience and a splash of water.
Glen Scotia 14 Year Old Icons of Campbeltown Release No. 2: The Dragon is produced at the Glen Scotia Distillery in Campbeltown, Scotland, which is owned by the Loch Lomond Group. It is a medium-peated single malt, matured 14 years in ex-bourbon American oak casks, then finished for six months in ex-Barolo red wine casks. Non-chill filtered, natural colour, cask strength. Bottled at 56.8% ABV / 113.6 proof, 750ml. Limited edition, the second of five releases in the Icons of Campbeltown series.
Whisky Advocate, 92 Points:
“This barolo cask-finished release has rich peat smoke and red fruits on the nose, with glacé cherry, milk chocolate, Red Vines, allspice, and scorched earth notes. Baked apple, cherry pie, peppercorn, and clove on the palate, with a finish of damson, dates, and malt. It’s hot and spicy at this proof, but water brings out some classic Glen Scotia salinity, with more peat smoke and heaps of sweet red berries.”
Glen Scotia (official tasting notes):
“Nose: Ocean spray, red berries, peat smoke. Palate: Melted brown sugar, raspberry, cranberry, apple, vanilla, with a long finish of red cherries and swirling peat smoke.”
Nose
Ocean spray, red berries, and peat smoke, with almond paste, caramel pudding, and coffee, and a hint of oak and pepper.
Palate
Melted brown sugar, raspberry, cranberry, apple, and vanilla, with soot, wood smoke, and coffee, and a touch of salinity.
Finish
Long, with red cherries and swirling peat smoke, closing with dry spice.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky — Medium Peated, Cask Strength |
| ABV / Proof | 56.8% ABV / 113.6 Proof |
| Age | 14 Years |
| Maturation | Ex-bourbon American oak, then 6 months in ex-Barolo red wine casks |
| Filtration | Non-chill filtered; natural colour |
| Distillery | Glen Scotia — Campbeltown, Scotland |
| Series | Icons of Campbeltown — Release No. 2 of 5 (The Dragon) |
| Style / Identity | A bold, smoky, salty, red-fruit-driven Campbeltown malt at cask strength |
| Aromas & Flavors | Peat smoke, ocean spray, red berries, brown sugar, raspberry, cherry |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Enjoy neat after letting it open for several minutes; a few drops of water help bring out the red fruit.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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