Glenrothes 1988 / 1990 (Sansibar)

A comparison of two Glenrothes bottlings by Sansibar. Not the same vintage and not the same cask type, yet they’re not as far apart as you would expect.

 

 

Glenrothes 25 yo 1988 (47,2%, Sansibar 2013, bourbon cask, 127 btl.)

Nose: gentle, ripe fruits. Yellow apples, oranges, a hint of pineapple and melon. Generous notes of honey and vanilla. Then also a lightly sour edge as well as some grassy and earthy notes.

Mouth: even more on the fruity notes. Oranges, pears, grapes and more tropical hints of papaya and mango. A hint of waxed oak and mild spices (ginger, pepper, cinnamon).

Finish: medium length, with some rougher woody notes, vanilla and spices.

The slightly tropical notes on the palate are the highlight of this Glenrothes. Sometimes I wonder why they focus on sherry so much, the old bourbon expressions can be great.

Score: 86/100

 

 

 

Glenrothes 24 yo 1990 (49,8%, Sansibar 2014, sherry cask, 121 btl.)

Nose: slightly more spicy and it seems the fruitiness is bigger as well. Just more intense, although they’re not miles apart. Quite some vanilla here as well. Honey. A hint of cigar boxes and roasted almonds. Fruit cake.

Mouth: pretty much what you’re getting in official bottlings. Honey, oranges, sweet barley and vanilla cake. Light hints of milk chocolate too. Light pepper, a bit of clove.

Finish: medium length, again a bit more oak-driven now, with spices and some grassy notes.

Although this one doesn’t have the same tropical notes, it’s still my favourite. The balance of fruitinss and power is just right. Around € 140.

Score: 87/100