Glenrothes 9 - 66.5% - AD Rattray

 

A 2013 single Sherry cask Glenrothes from their Cask Collection. According to A D Rattray, the Cask Collection are “interesting and unusual single cask whiskies sourced from the six traditional whisky regions of Scotland. Each distillery represented is different and every cask is unique. We bottle at cask strength, natural colour and with no chill-filtration. There are therefore a limited number of bottles from each cask”.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Pale gold, forms a thin line which beads before forming an inverted crown and falling as slow, thick legs.

Nose: Caramel butter toffee, raisins and sultanas, vanilla, tropical fruit. With water, chocolate coated raisins and rich caramel toffee. 

Palate: Rolos, raisins, sultanas, vanilla cream and a hit of black pepper. With water, roasted pineapple, milk chocolate coated raisins and rich caramel toffee. 

Finish: Drying, nutty oak and ginger at first, before old library books and vanilla custard slices appear at the close. Becomes more astringent with water.

Overall: Great nose and a palate which doesn’t disappoint. Not a whisky you would regard as a sherry bomb, the influence is more subtle. Addition of water brings out more notes on the palate, but also allows astringent woody oak and a touch of bitterness to come through. My preference would be to leave the water in the dropper for this one.

Priced at £67, decent value for this quality and abv in my opinion.

If you would like more information on AD Rattray and their range of whiskies, please visit the company website.

Transparency: No goods or other incentives were exchanged, offered or requested for this independent review.