After serving up last month’s amazing Apera finished Launceston, we thought it would be only fitting to let Scotland return fire with a ‘Sherry Bomb’ of it’s own. This months featured distillery – The Glenrothes – is a self admitted ‘sherry specialist’. They mature the vast majority of their whisky in sherry casks, and have been doing so since 1879. This month, the Glenrothes 11 year old comes from the independent bottlers Gordon and MAcPhail as part of their ‘Discovery’ range. The Glenrothes 11 year old  is specifically bottled to showcase the ‘sherry’ flavour profile.

Classic ‘sherry matured Amber’ colour.

On the nose a spicy fruit mince and candies citrus peel

On the palate it has a creamy, buttery mouthfeel. Instantly rich and spicy on the tongue, then malty orange – Arnotts orange cream biscuit with some chocolate and coffee.

A long, medium intensity finish. Nice and warm, no astringency and more of that orangey tang.

GLENROTHES 11 YEAR OLD – BOTTLERS NOTES

Bottle Size : 700ml
ABV : 43% abv
Region : Scotland – Speyside
Peated : No

Aroma: Zesty Seville orange aromas appear with plenty of cinnamon and clove spice, stewed fruits – red berries, plum and cherries are complimented bynuances of chocolate
Taste: Creamy; followed by cracked black pepper, dark forest fruits with warming spice. Orange marmalade flavours come to the fore. Roasted walnut leaads to toasted oak.
Finish: Long lasting with lingering chocolate and orange flavours.
The Glenrothes 11 Year Old

ABOUT THE DISTILLERY

Built in 1879 by James Stuart and Co. (who also owned Macallan which is situated close by) the history of the Glenrothes distillery is quite spectacular. The very first spirit distilled at the distillery was done so on the day of the Tay Bridge disaster – between 59 and 75 people (accounts vary) killed when the bridge collapsed under their train. At the distillery itself, a fire in 1896, a huge explosion in 1903, warehouse fires in 1922 and again in 1962. Phew! To it’s immense credit,  each time it’s been burnt down or blown up, the Glenrothes has picked itself up, dusted itself off and gotten back on with it. Each time utilizing the disaster to force a refurbishment or improvement during the rebuild.

In all the refits and resets - the one thing that has remained unchanged is the core philosophy that has guided The Glenrothes from it's beginning. Known as the 'Four Corners' it is the basis that all Glenrothes whisky is made on.

1. Water - the Five Sources. Glenrothes remains one of the few distilleries that still use the local spring water in all aspects of their product - drawing on the 5 springs that exist on the property.
2.Slow Distillation. Slower distillation allows a finer, lighter whisky to be produced and this has been a hallmark of a Glenrothes whisky from the beginning.
3. Seasoned sherry Casks. Says it all, really. Most whisky is aged in sherry-matured wood. Both European and American oak is used. The Glenrothes takes this so seriously, they remain one of the few distilleries to continue to run their own cooperage on-site.
4. Natural Colour. Pride is taken at The Glenrothes that their whiskies are never altered with caramel or colour of any sort to enhance it's appearance.