The Glenrothes Soleo Collection brought age statements back to this distillery, replacing the vintage concept which it pioneered and made popular in the past decade or so.
The Glenrothes 25 Year Old (released a bit later than the others) is the oldest expression in the Soleo Collection, although a 40 Year Old is set to be released early next year. It is matured in “a high proportion” of first-fill sherry seasoned sherry casks. Too bad they stick to a modest 43% ABV even in this price range.
Mind that there was a Glenrothes 25 Year Old around 2007, which was an exception to the vintage concept in the early 2000s. It was a limited edition, in fact a leftover parcel originally intended for the discontinued Cutty Sark 25 Years blend.
Glenrothes 25 yo (43%, OB ‘Soleo Collection’ 2019)
Glenrothes 25 yo (43%, OB ‘Soleo Collection’ 2019)Nose: a mature, elegant combination of baked apples, blackberries, old roses, leafy notes and hints of dusty bung cloth. Roasted pineapple and orange peel. Walnut cake. Tobacco and oak spice in the background (ginger, pepper).
Mouth: heavily diluted indeed and quite woody, with some fragrant oak spice (ginger, nutmeg, cardamom) as well as leather and nuts. Dark berries. A nice touch of pink grapefruit, then back to toffee and sherry.
Finish: good length, on oak spice and citrus.
A pretty good, mature Glenrothes which focuses on the sherry oak spice. The Glenrothes 18 offers better value for money though. Available from The Whisky Exchange or Master of Malt for instance.
Score: 86/100