Glenrothes Vintage Reserve

COLOR/ Brown Amber, Honey AROMA/ Sweet Honey, Caramel, Slight Melon, Slight Tobacco, Slight Leather, No Alcohol Burn on Nose FIRST SIP/ Smooth, Spice, Leather, Sweetness, Buttery Oil TASTE/ Sweetness, Caramel, Butterscotch, Slight Spice, Slight Vanilla, Butter FINISH/ Sweet, Smooth, Butter, Slight non-lingering Warmth, Very Faint Lingering Sugar-Cinnamon and very subtle Nutmeg Spice at the end MT GLASS/ Carmelly Wood, Sweetness 80 proof This is part of a 2015 Three Bottle Reserve release collection. 3/3 (Most liked of the 3) This is a Lovely Bold and Complex Beverage! There are a ton of flavors rolling around on your pallet: Honey, Butterscotch, Oils, Cinnamon, Fruits, all sorts of Sweetness you really have to relax and focus on them to capture them all. Once this is done your last sip from your glass will be pure sugary joy and delightfulness. Adding Some H2o may heighten the wonderful Complexity this Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Be Kind, Be Generous, Be Real, Be Responsible!!! CH33RS

Quite intriguing and unconventional. Possesses a pale golden hue with some darker flecks. The aroma is dominated by cloves and dark honey, followed by notes of fresh green apples (similar to Balblair, also a vintage), hints of citrus, vanilla, and caramel. The taste is remarkably smooth, almost watery, with no harsh alcohol notes. It's pleasant and has a good mouthfeel, though not perfectly balanced. Again, prominent honey and apple flavors with a touch of spice. The finish is quite good. Judging solely by the aftertaste, it could be mistaken for bourbon (perhaps Buffalo Trace). It's lengthy, sweet, and abundant with nuts and wild berries. Glenrothes is ultimately gratifying and captivating (largely due to its exceptional aroma), but it could benefit from better balance. An ideal spirit to familiarize oneself with the distillery and a suitable companion for a quiet evening or a cigar.

My personal rating system often results in high scores for some whiskies, and even with that method, this pour couldn't reach a 4.0. Please don't misunderstand, it's not a bad dram at all, but the complexity found on the nose just didn't translate to the palate, and the finish is far too brief and somewhat uninteresting. Bottled at 40% ABV, it has a golden color. The nose is quite exceptional. Numerous aroma notes are present: Hazelnut, Cocoa Milk powder, Wedding cake, Raisins, A pleasant aroma, not aggressive nor faint. After some time, pear or green apples appear. After a longer period, lemonade emerges. Prunes are also detected. The palate is approachable, with Almonds, Nutty and Oaky notes, Cinnamon and plain wood. The finish is very short with hints of cinnamon. Overall, I'm giving this dram a score of 79 out of 100, primarily because the nose is so outstanding.

I obtained a 3-pack of small (100ml) bottles online for approximately $55, and this was one of them. I appreciated the flowery fruitiness and satisfying finish, but a buttery/musty element detracted from it somewhat. This was present in all three varieties, so I suspect it's characteristic of this particular brand. Although that specific note wasn't to my liking, I enjoyed most of the aroma and flavor, and my partner found the buttery scent/taste appealing, so it might just be me. I felt it was approachable and I wouldn't refuse it as a present, but I wouldn't purchase it for myself.

Pleasant and mellow. However, the Sherry and Bourbon cask versions are somewhat more enjoyable. My Evaluation Scale: Two Stars: "I'd prefer drinking light beer." Two 1/2 Stars: "Pretentious nonsense." Three Stars: "I adore whiskey. This is moderately enjoyable." Three 1/2 Stars: "I might buy it again." Four Stars: "This needs to be a part of my collection." Four 1/2 Stars: "Superior to recreational substances." Five Stars: "Life is great. Whiskey enhances it even more."

A truly interesting pour. The initial aroma I detect is fresh hay. Cereal, a touch of citrus zest, cinnamon, and clove are also present. It has a full mouthfeel and is very smooth, but then something quite interesting occurs after the mild heat at the end; it vanishes with a very subtle finish. It's comparable to star fruit, if you've ever tried it. You bite into it, and it's crisp and juicy, and after you swallow, there's almost nothing left. 🥃