Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 43%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Sherry
Chillfiltered: Yes
Added coloring: No
Owner: The Edrington Group
Average price: € 130.00
Official website: www.theglenrothes.com
It’s been a while since a Glenrothes from the distillery appeared on these pages, and it returns with a recent addition to the core range with this fifteen-year-old that Master Whisky Maker (distilleries enjoy inventing personalized titles) Laura Rampling created at the end of 2024.
Elegant packaging with a sliding opening that reveals the classic “fat” bottle with aging entirely in seasoned sherry casks, which has been added to the 18yo, 25yo, and 42yo.
Tasting Notes
The sherried nature on the nose is fresh and pungent, expressed in the acidity of red fruits (wild strawberry, raspberries, currants) embraced by that of citrus fruits (pink grapefruit, lime), accompanied by nuts (walnuts, pistachios) and spicy notes of nutmeg and cinnamon: the tones are delicate, assertive yet elegant. In short, warmer aromas of ginger biscuit, Sachertorte, cherry tart, and malt are added. A slight vegetal vein in length, with mineral touches. Very pleasant, not the “sherried bomb” often found in similar aging, in line with the distillery’s profile.
On the palate, it confirms the line of the nose, favoring the fruity and tangy aspects more, losing some of the pastry consistencies that previously provided contrast. Perhaps due to the low alcohol content, it lacks oiliness while not being ethereal, giving more prominence to the vegetal notes (tobacco, green tea) with the sweet elements falling into the background and becoming more evident in the finish. Nuts, cocoa, cherry jam, and spices become background players, to the advantage of red fruits and a slight astringency from the wood.
Medium-length finale, with the dryness of wood leading to red fruits, nuts, vegetal notes, and cocoa.
Conclusions: My limited affinity with Glenrothes is confirmed, with interesting aromas on the nose that fade into a drink that lacks impact and brilliance. If they were bolder with the proof and the naturalness of the distillate, it would probably achieve greater consistency.
Vote: 83/100