North Star Glenrothes 11 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Ralfy.com 10 Year Anniversary Bottling

A sherry matured once-off given the seal of approval by one of the world's most followed whiskybloggers. This will be collectable.

Tasting note: [20ml sample] Bottled from a single sherry butt to celebrate ten years of reviews from famous Glasgow whisky blogger, Ralphy.com. Brilliant amber gold. Once the alcohol blows off, you get a pretty flawless Glenrothes bouquet: Pure but softly spoken oloroso arrives already seamlessly integrated with lovely hints of orange marmalade through touches of walnut slice, cocoa and mixed grains. It's brisk and silky on entry with a beefy, malty middle and a flurry of peppery wood spices. There's a subtle, crisp apple tart-like character to close. Medium long. Good balance at cask strength, but superb with a dash of water. Engaging for this distillery, also collectable. 51.4% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. 618 bottles.

Other reviews... Colour: deep gold. Nose: very good! Honeys, pollens, brioche, fruit cake. Feels older than 11 which is always no bad thing with such whiskies. Some olive oil cake, walnuts, cafélatte - all very elegant, well-structured and nicely integrated. With water: develops immediately towards fresh breads, cereals, caraway and a little green fruit. Who could be against this? Mouth: treacle, toffee sweets, millionaire shortbread, salted caramel, digestive biscuits. Rich and sweet but without tipping over into cloying. Still these nice notes of glazed pastry and brioche. With water: not quite as bready as on the nose with water, but here it’s more about biscuits, shortbread, caramel wafers, Biscoff and sweet tea. Finish: good length, on cloves, honey, dried mint and hints of youthful calvados and cinnamon. Comments: It’s to be wondered if Mr Croucher didn’t dilute this one down a bit from its original rocket fuel ABV - as many young Glenrothes seem to be at natural strength these days. Anyway, great selection and very pleasurable young Glenrothes.
87 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com

For North Star's founder, Iain Croucher, independent whisky bottling is a "beyond exciting" industry that mostly flies beneath the radar of mainstream consumers. Whereas big brands blend batches for consistency (aroma, taste, ABV and sometimes even colour have to be the same), North Star's energies are focussed on single cask curiosities and obscurities. Supply is a closely guarded secret and equally a challenge: “We've had a few let-downs mixed with triumphant purchases that are worthy of late-night celebrations”, explains Croucher. “Being offered a cask of whisky that you know is different from anything you’ve ever tasted, and being able to put my label on it must be up there with some of the best jobs in the world". The latest selections from single cask series 008 and 009 run the gamut of diversity, backed up by North Star's reputation for high quality and (sometimes) considerable age statements. North Star was the nominated independent bottler with the honour of choosing a cask to bottle for Ralphy.com, the famous Glasgow based whisky blogger. Ralphy's 10th anniversary Glenrothes should be of interest to collectors. As usual, Australian allocations are tiny with some items limited to just two bottles.