In his recent book Independent Scotch, David Stirk explains how distilleries sell certain parcels of casks to brokers. Rather than being a calculated part of their business plan, it is often the result of stranded ideas, excess production or cancelled deals with blenders. Sold almost as bulk spirit, these casks end up at several independent bottlers and become individual single malt releases.
Glenrothes 1997 is one of these vintages that are readily available from independent bottlers. Contrary to other years like 1995 and 1998, it was never released as an official vintage. However since +/- 2015 dozens of bottlings can be found from a wide variety of bottlers. Especially Signatory Vintage seems to be a huge source.
The Whisky Jury also released a Glenrothes 1997 as part of its latest batch of whisky bottlings. It is 25 years of age, taken from a refill hogshead.
Glenrothes 25 yo 1997 (55%, The Whisky Jury 2023, refill hogshead)
Nose: nice, juicy fruit salad. Apricots, oranges and yellow plums. Also honeydew melon and a little honey. Getting lightly tropical after a while (tangerines), with a balmy / waxy note too. Then some (Jaffa) cake, vanilla waffles and very subtle grassy notes.
Mouth: rather spirit-driven and fruit-forward again. Pears, apples, peaches and hints of green lemons. Still a warm fruity side (maybe guava) but also a more zesty, green element. Hints of vanilla and a light chalky and grassy note. Fresh bread and plain barley, as well as a few bitter drops.
Finish: medium length, with floral honey, citrus zest, gooseberries, chalk and gentle spice.
A fresh and fruity Glenrothes, always a pleasure. In fact, this stays at quite a distance from the official profile, perhaps closer to its big neighbour. A natural beauty. Now available from TWJ’s partners.