Glen Scotia gifts bespoke 25 Year Old whisky to King Charles during royal visit to Campbeltown

What a moment for Campbeltown! Glen Scotia pulled out all the stops for King Charles III’s visit yesterday, presenting His Majesty with a specially engraved bottle of their 25 Year Old – and honestly, you couldn’t ask for a better ambassador for the region.

The bespoke bottling carries a unique engraving commemorating the royal visit to what we all know as Scotland’s smallest whisky-producing region. But here’s the thing that really catches my attention – this isn’t just any presentation piece. Glen Scotia’s 25 Year Old has been absolutely crushing it at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, taking home Platinum recognition six times since 2018. That’s serious pedigree right there.

Glen Scotia distillery manager Iain McAlister summed it up perfectly when he talked about the honour of welcoming the King to a town with such historical significance and vibrant whisky-making heritage. The choice of their quarter-century expression really speaks to what they’re about – it’s gently matured in American oak casks before getting a first-fill bourbon barrel finish, delivering those distinctive coastal flavours that make Campbeltown whiskies so special.

It’s quite poetic when you think about it. Campbeltown was once the whisky capital of the world, and while those days are long gone, there’s definitely been a revival brewing. Glen Scotia’s been right at the heart of that resurgence, and having the King acknowledge that with an official visit? That’s the kind of recognition that puts Campbeltown back on the map where it belongs.

The whisky itself perfectly captures Glen Scotia’s traditional character and that signature Campbeltown style – exactly what you’d want representing the region to royalty.