1985 Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
The Glenrothes Distillery sits beside the Burn of Rothes in the heart of Speyside – the area of the Scottish Highlands universally acknowledged as the heartland of malt distillation. Distillation began at Glenrothes in December 1879. In 1896 the distillery was expanded as demand from blenders grew for this increasingly prized malt with new stills installed in 1979.
Glenrothes Vintage malts are the product of a set of casks that have been handpicked by the Malt Master from a particular year’s distillation and judged to be at the peak of possible perfection. Vintage selections account for little more than 2% of the distillery’s production capacity making these rare spirits indeed. To date, only a small number of vintages have been released due to the exceptional quality required. Each vintage has its own unique personality and flavour profile, with each bottle bearing the date of distillation and also the year of bottling.
Of the 1985 vintage, the distillery manager commented, “Talk about bounce-backability, we first released the 1985 in 1997 and it ran through to 1998. It was popular then for its aromatic spicyness. We challenged John Ramsay to do his magic and find us some more. He’s done that, combining, stocks owned by Berry Bros & Rudd with liquid held by Edrington, the whole married in Spanish oak butts. The result is a small quantity of a wondrous, smooth, oak vanilla dram, which represents the latest addition to the very rare selections from the 1980’s.” Bottled 2005. Very Limited Stocks.
Tasting note: Nose: Immensely complex and mature with great breadth of aromas. Weighty but with fragrant spice. In time polished oak giving it balancing dryness. Palate: Layers of complexity with honeyed rich fruits cut through with citrus and spice. Concentrated, luscious, a slow-motion explosion. Finish: Long, elegant, balanced. Comment: This is head and shoulders above everything else in this tasting. Fills all the senses. 43% Alc./Vol. 93 - David Broom, www.whiskymag.com