Rosebank 21 Year (2014 Special Release)

Nose - (without water) Light floral honey, baked apple skins, mild toasted oak. (with water) quite similar. Taste - (without water) Slightly tannic/drying, intense sweet dark apple/pear cider, oak-aged sweet riesling/moscato, fruity honey. (with water) less drying, a touch of bitter apple skin appears, otherwise mostly the same. Finish - (without water) Lingering pleasant honey/apple/pear sweetness, light but very enjoyable. (with water) Surprisingly more heat/tingle, pleasant fruity honey, sparkling white wine sweetness. Score - 92/100 Final Thoughts - The aroma on this was a bit dull, but once it hit the tongue it was just fantastic. It's not the most intricate spirit, but it has such wonderful balance. I must admit that this is best appreciated at full strength as I believe a little water brings out a faint bitterness that is absent neat. This is a very nice spring/summery spirit that doesn't really hit you hard but brings a nice, very well-balanced fruity/honey flavor to the table. Amazing texture and a great finish in that it lingers just long enough to make you want more. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Yes Would I buy a bottle? - Yes, if I can find one without spending too much money

This whisky was distilled three times in 1990 and bottled at cask strength (53.8% abv) in 2011, 18 years after the distillery ceased operations. The color is a beautiful, viscous gold. The nose is floral and delicate, with hints of fresh apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a subtle vanilla note at the back. The palate is smooth and fresh, featuring lemon zest, spice, vanilla ice cream, and apples. The finish is long and possesses a fresh, floral character with distinct vanilla notes. A small amount of water enhances the dram's character, making it very well-balanced while retaining its floral essence. The nose reveals more citrus notes, the palate gains characteristics of hard candy with barberry flavors, and the finish develops caramel notes. Adding more water makes this dram superb. The finish remains long and complex, with a subtle smoked salmon note at the back, which is often quite typical of older spirits. It's unfortunate we won't see much more of this; it's a truly exceptional and highly complex whisky.

Rosebank, closed in 1993 and soon to be revived by Ian Macleod, remains one of Scotland's most esteemed distilleries. This 21-year-old Special Release was aged in American oak and bottled at 55.3% ABV (bottle #3579). The aroma is biscuity and cereal-forward, revealing citrus cream, pears, and a pleasing herbal complexity. On the palate, floral and slightly bitter notes mingle with parsley, barley sugar, and a hint of mojito. Minty freshness and lemon zest characterize the clean and very refined finish. A greatly missed Lowlander with unparalleled character! RATING: 4.5/5.0 stars ≙ 91 pts → SUPERB

Incredible, extremely sweet and rich. It doesn't have as much floral character as the 10-year version, and I prefer the 10-year.

Spicy, hot, warms the mouth. Grassy with smooth leather notes.