Glen Rothes 12yo 43% OB
An older bottling as it states "Berry Bros & Rudd" on the label, from the late 80's or early 90's? Smells concentrated, rich bitterness, some chalk dust with some raw spirit notes, like antibacterial handwash. I have to admit that Glenrothes, or Glen Rothes as its called on this label, is a distillery yet to impress me. The taste is sweet, fruity, peppery, green grapes, watermelon, grapefruit, oranges, but it has this last finishing bitter sensation. A really refreshing single malt with enough complexity to stand out.
Smooth, fruity, bitter: 7.5
Glenrothes 18yo 1990-2009 43% Krügers Whiskygalerie cask#1994
This one is bottled for the same guy that's responsible for the brilliant whiskyauction.com site. Of course, that's where I found this bottle. This smells oaky, a bit grassy, neutral flavours that makes me wonder why there aren't more alcohol domination flavourwise. Seems almost too mild. Let's taste. The taste is again very withheld, does not show any character. A bit grassy, underlying oakiness. Smooth and a bit boring, sadly. With water the finish gets a bit longer with some peppery notes. Other than that it's sad to say a big disappointment.
A very boring malt: 3
Glenrothes NAS 1989-? 63.8% James MacArthur's Old Master's
Just to top this rising abv-tasting I have to go well above 60%, so why not try this one from Glenrothes at a crazy almost 64%? This one is not some sort of sherried monstrosity, but a young, I guess, Bourbon-matured malt. Oh, the alcohol almost completely blanks out every other possible odor. The taste to, peppery, liquorice, vanilla, some dryness and very much alcohol flavours. Needs water! With a fair amount of water it gets sweeter, more vanilla, almost sort of rum-like. The aftertaste is bitter, orange peel, but more bitter than that.
Shows that anything goes at James Mac's: 4
Glenrothes 14yo 1994-2008 43% OB
One of those vintage originals from Glenrothes, they seem to be in just about every airport these days. Let's try this one then. The nose is muscular, but not in a bad way, tickles my nostrils, like a newly opened bag of marshmallows. But the taste is awful, very dry for such a young age, some phenolic thing, very grainy. The aftertaste is nothing, really, it's as futile as it gets. With a drop of water the finish becomes somewhat sweeter.
Not worth the price, but it's semi-drinkable: 3.5
Glenrothes 35yo 1968-2004 40.3% Duncan Taylor CS
A really old one of the Glenrothes Distillery, which usually, at least when it comes to OB's, are bottled at young age. This one has a very strong and distinctive fragrance, phenolic, much what I remember from earlier tastings. The taste is very clean, oaky, nuts, coffe, cream, white wine and prunes. The aftertaste is also of a fine and delightful character, this is not a malt designed to blow you away with, but rather to be gently sipped when on a good couch.
Too nice to criticize:): 8
Glenrothes 8yo 40% Gordon & MacPhail
A distillery that I'm not usually too fond of. Strong smell for only 40%, almost a bit foul, like old white ashes. The taste is very mellow compared to the smell, I would not recommend adding water to this one. A small notion of marcipan along with some caramel syrup strikes me as the best to discover in this dram. A very uninspiring experience.
Boooring!: 2.5
Glenrothes NAS 43% OB Select Reserve
People never seem to agree on this distillery, nor it's whisky. No age, strong smell, young, burnt rubber and paint thinner. Not too bad on the palate, well developed, sweet, basil, peppermint, vanilla and a long and soothing finish with black pepper.
Not a bad effort: 6
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