Origin: Lowlands (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 53.8%ABV
Ageing casks: American and European oak refill
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Diageo
Average price: € 900.00
Official website: www.rosebank.com
Vote: 91/100
Day two, still in the Diageo period with one of the three versions made for the annual Special Releases, a distillate from 1990 aged 21 years for the 2011 edition, adding to that of 2007 (25yo) and anticipating the one of 2014 (21yo) with which the bottlings produced under the beverage giant’s ownership effectively ended. Prior to the 2007 SR, Rosebank had been seen under Diageo in several unblended bottlings, in two versions for the Flora & Fauna label (the one reviewed yesterday and an earlier fullcask strength one) and in the Rare Malts series in four versions, between 1998 and 2004, with ageing between 19yo and 22yo.
5,886 bottles priced (at the time) at £160, cask strength and aged in American and European second-fill casks.
Tasting notes
The nose is immediately striking in its lack of alcohol, leaving room for an elegant and haughty profile, with fresh fruit (apple, peach, apricot, pineapple, white melon) sprinkled with plenty of lemon and imbued with a lively mineral vein. A cloud of maple honey, vanilla cream, butter scones and almond paste surrounds the aromas, punctuated by delicate floral impressions (including lavender), while a waxy note rises in the finish. Balsamic and menthol notes along the length. It has a rich and enveloping olfactory mellowness while maintaining a certain austerity.
In the mouth, it glides soft and creamy, with a light spicy stitching (white pepper, ginger) that recaptures the fruity elements of the nose with a slightly more pronounced citrus component and much more peach. The scones with a frosted sugar coating also return, along with apricot yoghurt, custard and marzipan macaroons. All this sweetness is balanced by a mineral freshness given also by the vegetal and balsamic components of cut grass and green tea, with the floral part more delicate but always present. Rose water and a touch of malt.
The finish is quite long and fresh, with balsamic and vegetal traits intruding white fruit, glazed sugar, lemon, and dry wood.
Elegant and multifaceted, with an excellent balance of evocations thanks also to a perfect strength, with pastry tones intertwined with fresh and mineral tones in a play of alternations that doesn’t tire and encourages continuous drinking… too bad it’s a bit expensive one!