Scotland, Speyside: Single malt whisky through the producing distilleries: history, making, production and tasting notes
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Glenrothes

Description of the whisky

The distillery

Glenrothes distillery
Glenrothes Distillery
Burnside Street
Rothes
Morayshire
AB38 7AA
+44 1340 831 248
Owner: The Edrington Group
Creation date 1879

Photos

The Glenrothes distillery was build from 1878 by James Stuart & Co, at that time tenants of the Macallan distillery. James Stuart had some problems with the bank and the William Grand & Co company finished the construction of Glenrothes. The William Grant & Co was formed by three associates: William Grant, John Cruikshank and Robert Dick.
The first distillation happened the same day as the catastrophic accident: the collapse of the "Tay Bridge" who killed all the passengers of the train which was crossing the Firth of Tay.
Business was not good and Glenrothes became part of Highland Distillers (already owners of Bunnahabhain). This change of ownership saved the distillery and things began to be better and better. In 1898, the production was already more than doubled.
A first fire of the warehouse n%1 caused the loss of 200.000 gallons whisky.
Partially destroyed by a second fire in 1962, the distillery was rebuild and extended twice in 1963 and in 1980. The still house was tooled up with 10 stills. The Glenrothes single malt is marketed in an original bottle, remaining the tasting samples used by the distilleries. Previously bottled after 12 years, this single malt is currently available in vintage editions.
The remaining part of the production is used in blends, especially Cutty Sark. Glenrothes is the base of Cutty Sark.
The Highland Distillers group has been bought by the Edrington Group in november 1999 for 601 millions £.

Glenrothes: official bottlings

Glenrothes

1989
Age
 12 years
Alcohol percentage
 43,0 %
Bottler
 Official
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 74/100
The distillery is specialised in vintage whiskies. The 1989 version is distinguished by its sweet character, slightly fruity.
The taste is sweet, with hints of oak and ripe fruits.
The finis is very pleasant and exceptionally sweet.
A rather strange feeling at the first contact. The nose would has the tendency to say it is a real superior malt, but there is something which shades this impression. Slight citrus hints on a delicate malt background. The impression in the palate confirms the first nosing, and here also something is missing. This sweet and pleasant whisky has a lack of character. But it is a good bottle, nobody can regret to have bought.
74/100
A rather complex but discrete nose reveals sweet hints of ripe fruits. The taste is very sweet as well, with some remote slightly acid touches on a malt background. The sweetness is still there in the finish which is rather pleasant.
74/100
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Glenrothes

1978
Age
 21 years
Alcohol percentage
 43,0 %
Bottler
 Official
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 78/100
This great distillery usually produces whiskies which are less marked by the alcohol. This 21 years old edition has of course all the ingredients of a great whisky, a wide aroma range, a very long finish which retains the taste for long minutes, but the beginning is rather aggressive, dominated by an impression of alcohol burning sensation. It is difficult to believe that this whisky stayed for 21 years in an oak cask. The price of the bottle seems to be out of proportion with its quality.
74/100
The second tasting did not really contradict the first one. However the quotation is higher this time.
79/100
The nose is clearly marked by citrus fruit (grapefruit), hiding a malt smell mixed with some hints of dried hay. A nice complexity, but remaining on the acidity. In the mouth, the alcohol impression of the first tasting was not present anymore (aeration, evolution of own taste ?), but the acidity is dominating. A nice evolution to malted notes. The finish is relatively long, but here the acidity is present as well...
79/100
The nose is pleasantly marked by spices, pepper and nutmeg on a nice malty background. The nose announces a great tasting moment. Unfortunately, the mouth is less interesting, with its half bitter half acid notes. A kind of watery feeling and a lack at consistence. The nose was too enticing probably... The finish is nice with its haselnut hints, but not nice enough to compensate the relative deceptoin in the palate.
79/100
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Glenrothes

25 years old, Limited release
Age
 25 years
Alcohol percentage
 43,8 %
Bottler
 Official
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 0/100
Glenrothes Specail release 25
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Glenrothes: independent bottlings

Glenrothes

Old Malt Cask, 18 years
Collection
 Old malt cask
Age
 18 years
Alcohol percentage
 50,0 %
Bottler
 Douglas Laing
Dates
 Distil: 1/03/1983 Bottling: 1/12/2001
Bottle
 288 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 81/100

A slightly acid smell, green apple, is dominating. This acidity remains in the palate, but does not hinder at all. The finish is rather long and the whole makes that this refreshing whisky a quite interesting one. It's alcohol degree, just between too much and not enough makes it a rather good one;
79/100
The nose is pleasantly fresh with a discrete smell of green apple. In the mouth, a mix of malt and a kind of acidity, but not like citrus fruit but like apple, followed by a nice finish, slightly spiced and recalling some menthol touches.
79/100
Nice fruit flavours with hints of yeast and a touch of wood inspire the first impressions In the palate, a nice complexity mixing slightly bitter notes (nut) to slightly acid ones, the whole making part of a whole which is both smooth (honey and malt) and bitter. The finish is quite long and warm, but has lost the taste diversity of the mouth.
84/100
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Glenrothes

Un-chillfiltered collection 1990
Collection
 Un-chillfiltered collection
Age
 11 years
Alcohol percentage
 46,0 %
Bottler
 Signatory
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links & average quote
 81/100
A light nose with some discrete floral, malty and honeyish notes announces a pleasant whisky. The sweet impression left by the nose remains in the palate, with however a great diversity at sensations, from honey to malt, through a very light touch of non acid citrus fruit. A rather pleasant finish, with malt touches.
79/100
The nose is clearly marked by malt with nice coffee hints and some spicy touches with some floral whiffs A very complex nose. In the mouth a kind of bitterness followed by some discrete acid touches on a malty background. A nice finish, clearly dominated by maot. A very nice bottle.
84/100
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Glenrothes

First Cask 7 years old
Collection
 First Cask
Age
 7 years
Alcohol percentage
 56,4 %
Bottler
 Whisky Import Nederland
Cask
 First fill sherry
Cask number
single cask 2417
Dates
 Distil: 20/6/2000` Bottling: 4/2/2008
Bottle
 312 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 79/100
Glenrothes First Cask 7 years
The nose is clearly marked by strong malty and yeasty hints and some sherry.
In the palate, an strange impression of smoked salmon first, but without the salty character which is usually associated to fish. A drop of water makes the whole much more pleasant dan makes it develop on nice fruity and chocolate notes.
Lingering finish, still clearly marked by hints of malt and sherry.
79/100
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Glenrothes

Gordon & MacPhail 1978 Reserve,

Collection
 Reserve
Age
 30 years
Alcohol percentage
 59,9 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
Cask
 refill sherry butt
Cask number
single cask 19236
Dates
 Distil: 28/12/1978 Bottling: 27/08/2008
Bottle
 415 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 86/100
Glenrothes reserve 1978
Pleasure is present from the very first nose, due to the very nice sherry fragrances mixed with very discrete chocolate hints. Nice complexity for this very smooth nose.
The palate is nicely fruity too with very light woody hints. Some tingling on the tong however, due to the percentage of alcohol.
Lingering and very warm finish. Sherry remains present for long minutes
88/100
Color: Amber
The nose which seems marked by sherry is quite complex and is evolving. Chocolate notes follow those of plum jam, then some acid fragrances, in the kind of cooked unripe fruit . Without the fresh character of acidity as is often the case. But this acidity in the perfect extension of the notes of cocoa and plum. The nose is quite remarkable in any case.
Contrary to what seemed to be announced by the nose, the first impression in the mouth is relatively aggressive. Presence of alcohol is obvious, and the impression of acidity of unsweetened plum jam that was detected on the nose dominates the palate at first.
After a few moments, the first aggression disappears, and nice chocolate notes join the plum ones, but that alcohol feeling does not go away. Alcohol is not particularly annoying, but the strength and heat are undeniable.
After a mouth of that power, I expected a final with exceptional length. But the finish is of medium length, keeping the memory of the warmth and notes of both cocoa and baked fruit.
84/100
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Glenrothes

1969, aged 39 years
Collection
 Lonach
Age
 39 years
Alcohol percentage
 42,7 %
Bottler
 Duncan Taylor
Dates
 Distil: 1969 Bottling: 2008
Particularity
 cask strength
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links & average quote
 85/100
Glenrothes Lonach 39
Colour: Old gold
The nose is rather complex mainly marked by a sweet, nutty bitterness combined with the sweetness of those old cough syrups which appears by very discrete touches.
The mouth is a bit disappointing after that very engaging nose. Slightly sour notes, probably some tingling due to alcohol and in general a feeling of a quite tired whisky. We would have liked some of these notes to be a little less subtle, like for example the nutty ones which are overwhelmed by an unexpected acidity. But overall this is a very nice mouth.
The finish recalls the level of pleasure of the nose. Very nice length, quite marked character of discreetly woody notes.
Pity that the mouth is slightly behind, because the whisky could be sublime. Maybe a few weeks of aeration can do him good. To be reviewed.
85/100
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Glenrothes samples

Glenrothes

Taste Still 1970
Collection
 Taste Still Selection
Age
 35 years
Alcohol percentage
 41,8 %
Bottler
 Taste Still
Cask number
single cask 10590
Dates
 Distil: 1970 Bottling: 09-2006
Bottle
 175 btls
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links & average quote
 84/100
Glenrothes Taste still 1970
The nose is rather discrete, and amzingly fresh for a whisky of that age. Cut grass and fruits (pear, melen). A very light touch of bitterness. The mouth is slighty more bitter than nose let expect, quite complex, with an evolution from hazelnut to malt, through discrete fruity hints. The finish is lingering, and fine woody hints are slightly dominent. A nice contrast between the nose, the mouth and the finish. A good bottle.
84/100
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Glenrothes

The ultimate single malt collection 1995
Collection
 The Ultimate Single Malt selection
Age
 No age statement
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 The Ultimate Whisky Company
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100

A very fresh and fruity nose. Nice hints of ripe peer , a touch of smoke and some peppery whiffs. This nose has everything it needs to be very pleasant.
The palate prolongs perfectly this nose, adding some citrus notes to the nose's pear. Very fresh and pleasant.
The finish is unfortunately less interesting than nose and mouth were. It remains however very decent and the overall appreciation of this bottle is that it constitutes a very nice surprise.
84/100
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Glenrothes

17 years old
Age
 17 years
Alcohol percentage
 59,9 %
Bottler
 Clydesdale
Cask
 sherry
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 0/100
Glenrothes Clydesdale 17
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Glenrothes

Dun Eideann 1996, Ste Lucie
Age
 10 years
Alcohol percentage
 42,0 %
Bottler
 Dun Eideann
Cask
 Rhum
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 0/100
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Glenrothes

1987, sherry butt
Age
 21 years
Alcohol percentage
 53,4 %
Bottler
 Malts of Scotland
Cask
 sherry butt
Cask number
single cask 7409
Dates
 Distil: 23/06/1987 Bottling: 03/2009
Bottle
 96 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 79/100
Glenrothes 1987 mos
A mix of malt and ripe fruits with hints of acid drop characterises the nose. It remains however rather discrete.
In the palate, a nice freshness with unfortunately an obvious presence of alcohol. Slightly more complex than the nose, but nothing very spectacular in this one neither...
Long malty finish.
79/100
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Glenrothes

1968, Bourbon Hoghshead
Age
 42 years
Alcohol percentage
 45,2 %
Bottler
 Malts of Scotland
Cask
 Bourbon Hogshead
Cask number
single cask 13509
Dates
 Distil: 11-1968 Bottling: 02-2011
Bottle
 108 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
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links & average quote
 0/100
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Glenrothes

Glenrothes

Rhum finished
Collection
 Chieftain's Choice
Age
 10 years
Alcohol percentage
 52 %
Bottler
 Ian McLeod
links & average quote
 60/100
Glenrothes Chieftains choice
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Glenrothes

1992-2004
Age
 12 years
Alcohol percentage
 43 %
Bottler
 Official
Dates
 Distil: 1992 Bottling: 2004
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 70/100
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Glenrothes

1997, Very cloudy
Age
 8 years
Alcohol percentage
 40 %
Bottler
 Signatory
Cask
 Hogshead
links & average quote
 78/100
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Glenrothes

1985
Age
 No age statement
Alcohol percentage
 43 %
Bottler
 Official
links & average quote
 79/100

Comment by
J.L. Zamora

Nose: sweet a soft Mouth: Starts sweet and silky but whit a little of time the peper appears. This is a really sweet whisky and so easy to drink. It's similar to macallan 12 fine oak, but I preffer this one beacause have more boy and the peper

 79/100
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Glenrothes

Un-chillfiltered collection #10988
Collection
 Un-chillfiltered Collection
Age
 15 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 Official
Cask
 Sherry butt
Cask number
single cask 10988
Bottle
 742 btls
links & average quote
 83/100
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Glenrothes

Best Casks of Scotland 1990
Age
 15 years
Alcohol percentage
 42 %
Bottler
 Jean Boyer
Cask
 First fill sherry
Dates
 Distil: 1990 Bottling: 2005
links & average quote
 84/100
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Glenrothes

Robur Reserve
Age
 No age statement
Alcohol percentage
 40 %
Bottler
 Official
links & average quote
 75/100
Glenrothes Robur

Comment by
Johannes Sauer

Colour: Golden straw, very golden and beautiful indeed, no indication about colouring.
Nose: Again straw, golden like the appearance, evoking autumn associations in deep winter, mowed grass, a very pleasant easy fruitiness, also hints of vanilla, caramel, a wee bit of leather and very soft smoke. Overall very easy and lowlandish in style. The sherry is not very well marked and the nose lacks some balance like most young spirits – easy to say, there’s no age indicated.
Taste: Firm and gripping, the alcohol having a nifty entrance even though there are no more than 40%. I tasted much stronger whisky being softer on the palate. Also wet rubber and dried fruits, later white chocolate and very soft smoke.
Finish:Getting more pleasant and dry, some dry wood and cold coffee with milk.
Conc.: This dram is pleasant and well crafted and it took a long time to find out what I am missing here: It’s a clear marked direction, there are too much different impressions not in harmony together.
Date: 20. December 2010

 75/100
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Glenrothes

1978-2008
Age
 No age statement
Alcohol percentage
 43 %
Bottler
 Official
links & average quote
 80/100
Glenrothes 19782008
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Speyside

Speyside Map

The Speyside area is situated at the North of the Cairngorm mountain and goes to the Moray firth. It is delimited by two rivers: the Findhorn at the West side and the Deveron on the East side.
The area is named after the river Spey. Most of the distilleries take their water in one of its affluents; the Fiddich, the Livet or the Avon.
About sixty distilleries from Speyside are described on this site.

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