Glenrothes – 12YO Cask 8965

Glenrothes 2009 – 2022

Uncommon nowadays, but this distillery from the heart of Speyside still has their own cooperage on site. Well known for its floral and elegant expressions this Glenrothes does almost exactly that. Except it’s big and bold, and flies high and fast. Lots to discover when you swirl this ‘round and ‘round your Glencairn. It punches well above its weight and our cask selection has a lot to do with that. A first fill Ruby Port quarter cask left a big mark on the result, without burying the intrinsic character of the Glenrothes distillery.

Many kinds of ripe summer fruits, blueberries, vanilla, and cotton candy. A scent of rosebuds and parfum. Herbal. A whiff of nail polish? It’s peppery, tickling, and at times even a little extreme. Figs and caramelized dark Muscovado sugar.

The finish is long, drying, and has a cooling minty aftertaste. Ruby Port is something special, and it carries on in this interesting beauty. If you feel jolly and would like to explore some uncommon cask types, this is definitely a dram you’ll want to get your hands on.