Glen Scotia has unveiled its third annual Icons of Campbeltown release, a 12-year-old single malt whisky finished in Tawny Port casks that draws inspiration from the Scottish folklore creature known as the Wulver—a wolf-headed being celebrated for its charitable nature rather than terror.
Limited Edition Tawny Port Cask Finish
The new whisky is bottled at 51.7% ABV and priced at $107 (£80) and represents the latest installment in Glen Scotia’s five-part series paying tribute to the mythical figures carved into Campbeltown’s 14th-century market cross. The unpeated single malt underwent initial maturation in bourbon barrels before spending nine months in ex-Tawny Port casks.
According to official tasting notes, the whisky presents juicy forest fruits, candied nuts, and crisp red apple on the nose, with a caramel sweetness. The palate reveals layers of dried fig and orange peel alongside smooth praline, while the finish delivers dark cocoa and dried fruits complemented by vanilla and oak spice.
Ashley Smith, Master Blender for Glen Scotia, explained the creative process behind the release: “The ancient market cross that inspired the Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown series gives us an exciting starting point to experiment with the single malts to match the mythical icons. For the third release in the series, I wanted to create a unique 12-year-old expression using the finest Tawny Port casks to finish the whisky.”
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Campbeltown Whisky & Folklore Series
The Wulver legend tells of a creature with a wolf’s head and man’s body who lived in a hillside cave, spending his days fishing and sharing his catch with poor neighbors by leaving fish on their windowsills at night. This tale of generosity reflects the spirit of Campbeltown, once known as the Victorian whisky capital with 34 distilleries at its peak, though only three remain today.
Glen Scotia has been in operation since 1832. For the latest instalment of the Icons of Campbeltown the distillery continues to collaborate with artist John Holtzman, whose portfolio includes work for Disney and Marvel, to bring these folkloric figures to life through label artwork. Glen Scotia has garnered significant recognition in recent years, including winning Best In Show Whisky at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its 25-Year-Old expression.
The Icons of Campbeltown Release No.3 is now available through Glen Scotia’s website, at the distillery visitor center in Campbeltown, and exclusively at Fortnum & Mason in London. This release follows previous editions inspired by the Mermaid and Dragon figures also carved into the medieval market cross.
