"A very fruity side (in particular the nose) of Glenrothes that suits any summer evening"
(Photo from Whiskybase)
The Vintage Malt Whisky Company was founded in 1992 by a former Distillery Export Director Brian Cook to showcase Scottish distilleries to independent spirits importers. Most famous are the (unknown) Islay single malts of Finlaggan and The Ileach, along the the Coopers Choice range. The latter focusses on the importance of cask craftsmanship for the flavour of a single malt. Therefore, the range often includes finishes on casks that are not often associated with that particular distillery, like Moscatel, Port, Calvados or Madeira. Like the one we had on our table during a recent blind-tasting competition.
Nose
Switching between tropical fruit juice and golden raisin cake. Pleasant and well balanced, despite the high strength. After a few minutes more balance. Sweet white wine, Spanish style rum and golden raisin juice (?). Also strong scent of liquorice root. Time suits this whisky and brings better coherence and more depth. Some cherry liquor, raspberry sweets and a drop of limoncello. The liquorice note is really persistent and challenges the domination of the fruits. Some water brings more cake, freshly pressed oranges, grapefruit, sweet cherries and grenadine lemonade. More and more fruits are arising.
Taste
Big alcohol kick followed by astringent oranges and grape seeds. There is a slightly herbal site behind this with mint, rosemary and dill. With water, more tropical juice, grenadine lemonade and bigarreaux. Pleasant aftertaste where fruit liquorice gums are the main player.
Overall
Today’s dram was one of the most difficult to pin down to a particular distillery. I found the nose in particular very enchanting, while palate lacking some development and depth. This might have something to do with the age and shortness of the finish. However, I find it shows another side of Glenrothes, beside the many sherry-heavy bottlings, since it articulates the fruity side of the distillery’s character. I would probably pour myself one this during any summer evening.
- Review 2020-036
- Single malt
- The Glenrothes Distillery
- The Vintage Malt Whisky Co.
- Distilled in 2010
- Bottled in 2019
- American oak barrels & finished in port pipes
- Natural colour
- Non chill-filtered
- 58.5
- 342 bottles
- ±75
- Difficult to find
- Whiskybase #132342
What others say
This samples was part of organised by Whisky4all!
Scores
• these are my personal views, so do not take them too seriously… nothing beats tasting these for yourself •
- Liquorice
- Grenadine lemonade
- Golden raisins