At each Spirits in the Sky festival there is always a new selection of The Nectar of the Daily Drams releases.
Among others: Auchroisk 1990, Glen Keith 1992, Glenturret 1977 and this 25 year-old Glenrothes 1988. There were also three joint bottlings by The Whisky Agency & The Nectar, as well as a series of officials for The Nectar (Bowmore 2001 Blackadder, Arran 2001, Jura 1989 SV, Glenburgie 1983 SV, Kavalan sherry, Elijah Craig…).
Glenrothes 25 yo 1988 (50,6%, The Nectar of the Daily Drams 2013, refill sherry)
Nose: quite full, with a spicy sherry character rather than a dried fruits profile. Candied ginger and pepper. Oranges (both juice and zest) and yellow plum compote. Caramelized pear. Lots of floral honey. Hints of almonds.
Mouth: sweet and very citrusy. Grapefruits (pink and yellow ones), lemon marmalade and oranges. Again a honeyed pastry note with some vanilla custard. Some nutmeg and cinnamon towards the end.
Finish: medium long, now strictly spicy (ginger, pepper, nutmeg) with oaky notes and sweet herbal tea, although there’s still a sweet echo in the back.
Good Glenrothes, with a focus on honey, citrus and spices. Around € 115-130. That’s 40% more than similar ones released last year.
Score: 86/100