Campbeltown distillery Glen Scotia is launching a limited-edition 48-year-old single malt.

The new expression was drawn from some of Glen Scotia's oldest remaining reserves. Only 250 bottles will be available, priced at £11,000 each.

The whisky was aged for 43 years in a combination of first-fill and refill bourbon barrels, then recasked into a first-fill oloroso hogshead for a further five years before a final six-month finishing in a second-fill Pedro Ximénez hogshead. It is bottled at 40.8% ABV and comes a handmade oak display case with a plaque featuring the individual bottle number.

Overseen by Glen Scotia master blender Michael Henry, the creation of the limited edition is designed to pay homage both to a bygone era of production at the distillery, and to Campbeltown's ties to the Spanish sherry industry as a major trading port in the 19th century.

Iain McAlister, master distiller and distillery manager at Glen Scotia, said: “The 48 Year Old is an exceptional release with a remarkable heritage. It is so intriguing to me to think that different generations of distillery managers and their teams, who would have been testing their casks over time, opted to hold this particular liquid back time and time again, allowing it to continue its journey.

“What we have inherited today is therefore a real journey through time and a celebration of Glen Scotia’s rich heritage and craftsmanship, which continues to thrive. This is a collector's must-have, a chance to reflect upon a time in history and be transported to a bygone era of one of Scotland’s most enduring distilleries.” 

Michael Henry, Master Blender for Glen Scotia, said, “This expression is a testament to Glen Scotia’s commitment to excellence and preserving the Campbeltown style, handed down by past generations of local distillery workers. It is the first time Glen Scotia has used a combination of oloroso and PX sherry casks on a liquid of such a remarkable age, which has resulted in a Spanish symphony of flavour married with Glen Scotia’s coastal nuances.”

The Glen Scotia 48 Years Old is available from glenscotia.com and select specialist retailers in the UK, Europe, China, USA, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, and South Africa.