From legendary Speyside distillery, Glenrothes – a Club Exclusive 13 year old independent bottling by the equally legendary Duncan Taylor. 750ml of Speyside excellence from the Single Cask Octave series, matured in ex-bourbon casks with a ‘signature’ sherry finish. The exceptional Duncan Taylor Glenrothes 13 Year Old.
This EXCLUSIVE single malt was distilled at Glenrothes in 2012. Aged for a bit over 12 years in an ex-bourbon cask it was then finished for another 9 months in several Duncan Taylors ‘signature’ sherry octave casks for another 9 months before being re-married, cut to 46% and then bottled. A total maturation of 13 years!
The Duncan Taylor ‘Octave’ program involves finishing the whisky small – Octave – casks of around 70 litres capacity. These Octaves are hand selected French oak casks whose smaller size (hence larger surface to area ratio) means more interaction between the spirit and the wood – speeding up the finishing time for the whisky.
Duncan Taylor are one of the biggest and most respected independent bottlers in the world. Founded in 1938, originally established in Glasgow and later relocating to Huntly in Aberdeenshire. Duncan Taylor owns one of the largest privately held collections of rare and aged Scotch whisky casks, including many from now-closed (silent) distilleries. They take pride in exceptional cask management, selecting only the finest American oak, ex-bourbon, and sherry casks, with meticulous attention to wood influence and maturation.
Duncan Taylor whiskies have won numerous global awards (IWSC, World Whiskies Awards, etc.) for both their single malts and blended expressions, reinforcing their credibility and quality.
Glenrothes is owned by Edrington Group (which also owns Macallan and Highland Park), Glenrothes use slow distillation in tall copper stills with wide necks, which promotes a lighter, fruitier spirit with refined complexity. Glenrothes is known for flavours of ripe fruits (especially orange), vanilla, nutmeg, and dried fruits, underpinned by a creamy texture and soft spice. In huge demand as a single malt, Glenrothes has also long been a core component in high-end scotch blends like Cutty Sark and Famous Grouse.
OUR TASTING NOTES
Nose: toasted marshmallows and vanilla with freshly baked apple pie leads to green olives and lemon zest
Palate: The sherry component is immediately apparent; it’s big, bold but balanced. Add in sugared almonds with a sticky toffee cake and dried fruit (prunes, raisins and apricot) make this a wonderfully complex whisky.
Finish: Dried fruit continues with cinnamon becoming more apparent and some lightly caramelized popcorn
Aged in Cabernet casks from a renowned Clare Valley winery and bottled at a premium 55% ABV for our members!
FROM DUNCAN TAYLOR
For upwards of 40 years the team at Duncan Taylor has experimented by maturing whiskies in smaller casks with great success. Our research stemmed from the simple premise that there is more wood interaction with whisky over a shorter period of time in a small cask than in a large cask, therefore allowing a more rapid melding of wood, air and alcohol.
After a second maturation the octave casks have refined the whisky, enhancing its hue, taste, form and character. The flavour profile is gently expanded, a little more sophisticated with the commanding presence of a mature, well-balanced Scotch Whisky. They have become ‘Octave Invigorated™. The Octave Collection is extensive with something for all tastes, be it a single malt, a single grain or a blended malt whisky.
Details
Glenrothes 2012
Age: 13 y.o.
Single Cask (cask 4941619)
Cask type: Ex bourbon and a Sherry Octave for 9 months
ABV: 46%
Non chill filter and natural colour
Colour: golden amber
Tasting notes: Spicy Toffee, red apples, vanilla pods , sweet wood and fruit pie
Bottled exclusively for the SMWC : Yes (on the label)
ABOUT DUNCAN TAYLOR
The family owned Scotch Whisky specialist was officially registered as Duncan Taylor & Co – a cask broker and trading company – on the 27th of May 1938, at the business address of 20 Renfield Street, in Glasgow, Scotland.
In the 1960s, the late Abe Rosenberg, a native New Yorker who had made his fortune importing J&B Scotch to America just after World War II, bought the Scottish-owned Duncan Taylor & Co and began storing casks that he purchased from premium distilleries.
Although blends were Rosenberg’s business, the premium single malts and single grains that went into those blends were his passion.
In 2002, eight years after Rosenberg’s death, whisky merchant Euan Shand returned Duncan Taylor & Co to Scottish hands when he acquired the company and its prized collection of single malts, single grains and aged blended whiskies.
Under Euan’s ownership, the company has grown into a global enterprise, with international presence in more than 60 countries and decorated brands with prestigious awards from around the world.
Today, the company sits on the periphery of Speyside, in the heart of scenic Huntly, Aberdeenshire. It continues to lay down premium casks from various distilleries around the world, brokers casks, artistically stores and matures casks, blends and bottles for the global scotch whisky market.
More than 80 years after the company was first registered, Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky is recognised on the global stage as one of the most innovative and dynamic whisky companies and has continued to act as a reputable whisky merchant, blender, bottler and cask broker.
The multi award winning company has built a reputation for its ownership of one of the largest privately held collections of some of the world’s most sought after vintage and rare whiskies.
A new chapter begins at Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Ltd
Shawn Smith is the new Director of Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky, following the announcement in April, that Chairman Euan Shand retired. Shawn brings a wealth of experience in technology finance and whisky and will continue the mantel as a family-owned business where Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky has amassed an impressive portfolio of vintage and rare scotch whisky casks.
