Glenrothes Vintage Reserve 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

One of the better distillery bottlings of recent times. Stock up!

Noteworthy for this relatively new Glenrothes is a lack of vintage on the label, for once reversing the trend of no-age statements! Vintage Reserve 12 year old was launched in 2015 as an Asia-only release. Despite its age statement, Master Distiller Ronnie Cox explains that the whisky is actually comprised of twelve different vintages, the oldest dating back to 1973 (the others being 1978, 1979, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003). The assemblage is designed to show the "true character of The Glenrothes".

Tasting note: Deep gold. Appealing aromas of honey-drizzled muesli, vanilla, crushed hazelnut and trace sulphur. A gently sherried, mellow, medium-bodied malt; Poached fruits (apple / pear), honey, prune and sweet spice feature, followed by toasted cereals, light pepper and touches of manuka honey through the oaky finish. Well rounded. 40% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Light berry fruit notes, with resin, walnuts, and icing sugar on the nose. More confident berry notes on the palate, with a hint of cloves, then developing licorice, dark chocolate, and tangerine. The finish is spicy, with aniseed. 87 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Summer 2019)