Campbeltown distillery Glen Scotia has released a remarkable new 50-year-old whisky – The Elements of Campbeltown Collection Release Number One: Air.

Taking inspiration from the Celtic five-fold knot, as air, water, fire and earth bind together to create the fifth circle denoting spirit, the collection will draw from Glen Scotia’s oldest maturing casks.

Each chapter will showcase a different element and will collaborate with a renowned artist to create a unique art piece to adorn the cabinet door encasing each decanter.

Release Number One: Air

Celebrating the distinctive character of Scotland’s smallest whisky region, and testament to the environment that has shaped it over generations, the inaugural expression captures Campbeltown’s maritime climate and the nuances it weaves into the whisky over time.

The precious Glen Scotia 50 Year Old was distilled in 1973 and bottled at 42.3% ABV in 2024. Fully matured in refill and first fill American oak hogshead casks, the coastal influence is woven into the spirit, creating hints of salinity between complex layers of baked orchard and tropical fruits.

This single malt brings aromas of flaked almonds, vanilla fudge, salt crystals, sweet edible seaweed and fresh glazed apple tart. There is a medley of flavours with a creamy sweet and salty texture, white pepper, powdered ginger and a lingering coconut finish.

A work of art

UK artist Gina Parr captured the essence of ‘air’ in the distillery’s historic dunnage warehouse, taking inspiration from Campbeltown’s coastal air stream and Glen Scotia’s distilling process to create an oil painting for the cabinet door concealing each whisky decanter. Using the sensorial experience of her Campbeltown visit, she depicts the abstract yet distinctive air of the distillery and town and its interplay with the whisky.

The solid ash and birch display cabinet draws inspiration from an easel in an art gallery and features deep coastal tones and an amber hue on the exterior, selected by Gina to reflect the surroundings and provide a nod to the whisky itself.

The luxurious white leather interior houses a Glencairn crystal decanter encasing the precious whisky, featuring a delicate band representing ‘air’, while a Celtic knot crowns a heavy brass stopper and is presented alongside a hardback book telling the story of this single malt.

Traditional craftsmanship

Glen Scotia has been producing whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of only three surviving distilleries in the town which was once known as the ‘Victorian whisky capital of the world’.

Maintaining much of its original design, including the stillroom, and the dunnage warehouse, to this day, the distillery follows in the footsteps of its founders, using traditional methods, carefully creating the subtly maritime Campbeltown style it is renowned for.

Discover more

Glen Scotia Elements of Campbeltown Release Number One: Air (£35,000) is limited to only 100 individually numbered crystal decanters worldwide. See more at glenscotia.com