Rosebank was closed in 1993. While most of the equipment was still in place and rumours circulated that Diageo would eventually restart production, the copper was stolen at the beginning of 2009 and the Lowlands distillery may be lost forever. There have been a few official bottlings in the Rare Malts series, a Flora & Fauna 12y and a 25 year-old from the same year as this Daily Dram release (bottled in 2007).
In 2006, this was one of two releases in the first Daily Dram series ever. You may think it is diluted, but it’s actually cask strength.
Rosebank 1981 (43%, Daily Dram 2006)
Rosebank 1981 (43%, Daily Dram 2006)Nose: classic Rosebank lemons. Tangerines and other citrus fruits. Juicy pears. Really fresh. Buttercups. Some tropical notes as well: passion fruit, pineapple. Buttercups. After a while, there’s a peaty note in the background. That’s not completely uncommon for old Rosebank (Rosebank 25yo OB also has some). Develops on slightly grassy, waxy and minty notes. Fruit tea.
Mouth: fruity (oranges) but slightly sour at the same time. Lots of (pink) grapefruit and green tea. Apple. Hints of cloves.
Finish: medium length, on lemon candy and tangerine.
Impressive, certainly because other distilleries generally need more years to develop a similar profile. It shares similar elements with old Clynelish or some 30-40 year-old Longmorns. Not available any more.
Score: 89/100
ps/ Re-tasted at a Fulldram tasting in May 2011. Added one extra point.