One Campbeltown Distillery Did VERY Well At The World Whiskies Awards Scotland 2025

It’s time to talk about Glen Scotia. The distillery dominated the Campbeltown single malt scotch category at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards Scotland.
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It’s time to talk about Glen Scotia. The distillery dominated the Campbeltown single malt scotch category at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards Scotland. In March of this year, these category winners will go on to compete on the world stage against whiskies from other regional competitions. I think it is safe to say that the Glen Scotia team will be feeling pretty confident given the results below. 

So, let’s take a closer look at the distillery, its profile, and the award-winning scotches from this year’s World Whiskies Awards.*

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Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish

Images credit: Glen Scotia

Category: Single Malt Scotch
Region: Campbeltown
Age: No Age Statement
Tasting Notes: Cooked sugar, maritime sea spray, tropical fruits, molasses, coconut, banana, sweet peach, spice
BUY NOW: $50

Glen Scotia’s Double Cask Rum Finish pays homage to Campbeltown’s storied past as a thriving international shipping port. Situated at the southern tip of the Kintyre Peninsula, the town was a vital hub of trade during the Victorian era. Glen Scotia notes that historical records from as early as 1815—before the distillery was established—mention casks of rum being available for sale in the local market.

This release offers a unique take on Glen Scotia’s well-regarded Double Cask expression. Made from 100% Scottish malted barley, the NAS whisky undergoes initial maturation in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in Demerara rum casks. Bottled at 46% ABV, it delivers the signature Campbeltown profile of sea spray and brine, complemented by tropical fruit and warming spice.

Glen Scotia Icons Of Campbeltown Release No.2 

Category: Single Malt Scotch
Region: Campbeltown
Age: 13-20 Years Old
Tasting Notes: Ocean spray, red berries, peat smoke, melted brown sugar, raspberry, cranberry, apple, vanilla, red cherries, swirling peat smoke
BUY NOW: $115

Release No.2 in Glen Scotia Distillery’s Icons of Campbeltown series, this single malt scotch whisky pays tribute to Saint Michael, the archangel of courage and protection. According to legend, Saint Michael slayed a fire-breathing dragon with his spear. The legend has been an integral part of Campbeltown culture, and was linked to real events in the town such as numerous distillery fires. 

Additionally, the whisky pays homage to the resilience of Campbeltown which was once the whisky capital of the world in the Victorian era. Though the number of distilleries in Campbeltown significantly decline in the 20th century, Glen Scotia – along with Springbank and Glengyle – has persisted in keeping the town’s heritage alive. 

Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown Release No.2 was crafted by Master Blender, Michael Henry. It spent most of its life in American oak before a six-month finishing period in ex-Barolo red wine casks. 

The striking packaging was created in collaboration with Marvel graphic artist, Joel Holtzmann. He brings the story of Saint Michael to life, with the fiery tones emulating the whisky inside the bottle. 

Glen Scotia 25 Year Old 

Category: Single Malt Scotch
Region: Campbeltown
Age: 21 Years & Over
Tasting Notes: Coastal air, red apple, tangy orange peel, vanilla syrup, caramel
BUY NOW: $490

The Glen Scotia 25 Year Old was added to the distillery’s core range in 2017 and is billed by the distillery as “Campbeltown’s liquid gold”. 

Matured in American oak, single malt is then married in first-fill bourbon casks before being bottled at 48.8% ABV. 

The whisky has previously won awards at the World Whiskies Awards, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (where it won Best In Show in 2021), and the International Wine & Spirits Competition. 

Speaking with Becky Paskin in a tasting video on the Glen Scotia website, Distillery Manager and Master Distiller Iain McAlister, said: “We’re lucky enough that we have got that wonderful spirit character – it’s coastal, it’s maritime, it’s oily, it’s salty, it’s got a wonderful fruit flavor profile running through it. So all these elements, when you combine them, you’re going to get something special.”

One Of The Only Remaining Distilleries In Campbeltown 

Glen Scotia Distillery, one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland, was founded as Scotia in 1832 by Stewart, Galbraith & Co, and was later one of the founding members of West Highland Malt Distilleries. This group brought together six Campbeltown distilleries which banded together in an attempt to survive the devastating economic conditions of the 1920s. 

It was this time period that saw Campbeltown, once a bustling port and Whisky Capital of the World, decline significantly. Glen Scotia, though was saved when it was purchased by Duncan MacCallum. However, the distillery did experience a brief closure between 1928 and 1930. 

After McCallum took his own life in 1930 following a scam that caused him to lose his life savings, the distillery was purchased by Bloch Bros, which added ‘Glen’ to the name. 

Following a few more ownership changes and mothballings, Glen Scotia ended up in the hands of the Loch Lomond Group in 1996. Since then, the distillery has thrived, releasing a 12 Year Old in 2005 and a fully-fledged core range in 2012. 

It remains one of just three distilleries still operating in Campbeltown as well as Springbank and Glengyle. However, Dal Raita Distillery is set to join the ranks after planning permission was approved in 2023. 

Glen Scotia’s Profile & What Sets It Apart 

Glen Scotia has certainly carved out its own niche in the Campbeltown whisky region. The distillery is well known for producing nuanced and balanced single malts with a maritime influence, an oily texture, and complex fruity notes. 

Glen Scotia produces unpeated, medium-peated, and heavily-peated single malts. The brand also likes to play with fermentation times, meaning that it can tailor its whisky-making process to the desired profile. In recent years, the distillery has begun to play with cask finishes such as rum, port, wine, and sherry with a huge amount of investment in quality wood and casks. 

The distillery has built its fanbase on its balanced and approachable whiskies. Whilst, for many, Springbank remains the King of Campbeltown, Glen Scotia’s whisky offers a contemporary and nuanced interpretation of the regional style.

 

*Author’s note. This is not paid content. Glen Scotia just did really well at the World Whiskies Awards. 

Beth Squires

Beth Squires joined Mark Littler Ltd full-time in October 2020 after completing her university degree in English Literature. Since then, she has acquired extensive knowledge about all aspects of whisk(e)y and now holds the position of Deputy Editor at The Whiskey Wash. Beth is passionate about history, industry innovation, marketing, and sustainability. With a special fondness for independently bottled rare scotch, Beth also serves as a whisky bottle investment specialist.

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