Glen Scotia announced the inaugural release in a new annual series, Elements of Campbeltown, a 50-Year-Old single malt scotch whisky shaped by the elements of its unique geographical setting. Release No. 1: Air marks a pivotal moment in the distillery’s history as its oldest release.
A celebration of the character of Scotland’s smallest whisky region and testament to the environment that has shaped it over generations, the expression captures Campbeltown’s maritime climate and the influence it has on whisky. Five decades in the making, Release No. 1: Air was distilled in 1973 and bottled at a natural cask strength of 84.6 proof in 2024. Fully matured in refill American oak hogshead casks to preserve the distillery’s character.
“Responsibility for whisky of this age, where the passage of time shapes the character of the spirit is a privilege,” said Michael Henry, Loch Lomond Group Master Blender. “With this milestone release 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.”
To mark the release, Glen Scotia has collaborated with UK artist Gina Parr to create a piece of art capturing the essence of ‘air’ in the distillery’s historic dunnage warehouse. Parr took inspiration from Campbeltown’s coastal air stream and Glen Scotia’s distilling process to create an oil painting to adorn the cabinet doors concealing each whisky decanter.
Housed in the white leather interior is a bespoke Glencairn crystal decanter encasing the whisky. Created exclusively for this release, it features a delicate band around the base to represent ‘air’ while a Celtic knot crowns a heavy brass stopper. Accompanying the whisky is a hardback book telling the story of this single malt.
Only 10 bottles of Glen Scotia Elements of Campbeltown Release No. 1: Air will be available in the U.S. by special request and will retail for $50,000.
