Glenrothes 2006 / 2009 (Valinch & Mallet)

Here are two Glenrothes bottlings from the young series by Valinch & Mallet. One is bourbon matured, the other one is bottled from a sherry cask.

 

 

Glenrothes 9 yo 2009 (53%, Valinch & Mallet ‘Brotherhood Collection’ 2018, bourbon hogshead, 234 btl.)

Nose: a malty and slightly milky nose, with hints of vanilla yoghurt and custard. Peaches and stewed apples, fresh butter and something faintly waxy. Just a hint of Panettone, as well as some marzipan and yellow flowers.

Mouth: fruity and sweet, hints of pear juice but also a slight bitterness of ginger and herbs. Vanilla sauce. Parsley, apple skins. A waxy or slightly rubbery touch again.

Finish: medium, clean, barleyish with a grassy side.

A straight Glenrothes that is perhaps a little young, but okay. Interesting to try, but not something I would buy a bottle of. Around € 70.

Score: 80/100

 

 

 

 

Glenrothes 11 yo 2006
(53%, Valinch & Mallet ‘Brotherhood Collection’ 2018, sherry butt, 120 btl.)

Nose: clean sherry notes, lots of genuine dry Oloroso character. Cinnamon, dried figs and dates, subtle peppery notes and a mix of red berries. Hints of kirsch, as well as some chocolate. Tobacco leaves.

Mouth: milk chocolate and kirsch again, plus leafy notes, all-spice mix and walnuts. Seville oranges, hints of leather and mocha. It stays on the dry side and misses some of the thick notes that come with longer ageing but it is really nice nonetheless.

Finish: long, even drier and quite peppery, always with these leafy notes.

Clearly the better option here. A nicely dry sherry bottling which comes across far more mature and takes water well. Around € 80 from The Whisky Exchange.

Score: 86/100