1998 The Glenrothes, Speyside, Single Malt Scotch Whisky (43%)

The Glenrothes Distillery, Speyside

We are delighted to announce The Glenrothes has been awarded a quartet of gold medals at The Scotch Whisky Masters 2015. The honours include two Gold Medals for The Glenrothes Select Reserve and two Gold Medals for The Glenrothes Vintage Reserve. The Reserves are the heart of The Glenrothes range and have been created to give character, maturity and balance that deliver the best possible flavours.

The Glenrothes has been producing Speyside Single Malts since 1879. The Glenrothes's distillery is in Rothes in the heart of Speyside which is acknowledged by connoisseurs as the source of Scotland's finest single malts; indeed, it has the highest density of distilleries of any region. This is due to the unusually clement climate experienced in this area and the ample supply of soft water provided by the river Spey.

The Glenrothes is sought-after by Master Blenders across the land as a 'top dresser' for their blends, contributing an extra dimension of elegance, complexity and quality. 

The Glenrothes Vintage Malt is the product of one year of distillation. Unlike wine, where climate is key in determining the quality of the vintage, with Single Malts it is the quality of the wood used in the oak casks which is of greatest influence.

Once a prospective Glenrothes vintage malt has been identified, its casks are systematically checked until such time as the malt is judged to be at its best for drinking; then it is bottled.

Normally this ageing process is between 10 and 16 years after distillation, producing a malt characterised by a fruity, spicy nose and a heathery-honeyed palate. On rare occasions, this ageing process can be longer, producing classics with dried fruit character and real mellowness.
Recent Awards: The Glenrothes Vintage Reserve won a Double Gold Medal at the China Wine and Spirits Awards 'Best Value' 2015.
The Glenrothes Extraordinary Single Cask 1970 picked up the whisky industry’s highest accolade for design at the World Whisky Awards 2013.  It won first the sub-category for ‘Best Design – Limited Edition’ followed by the overall prize for ‘World’s Best Design’.

Speyside Whisky

To some Speyside represents the jewel in whisky’s crown. Speyside is the home of legal whisky production and it’s best known examples. Around the world Glenlivet, Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenrothes and Glenfarclas typify all that whisky, at it’s best has to offer. At it’s heart running from the Monadhliath mountains north to the sea, is the River Spey. It is the fastest flowing river in Britain, and also well known for its salmon fishing.

Speyside is the principal whisky-producing region: Speyside has within it some forty-six operating distilleries - over half the total number in the entire Scotland.

Speysides are essentially sweet whiskies. They have little peaty character They are typically highly perfumed, feminine and elegant.

The classical nature of Speyside’s malts means that a number of the finest malts are used almost exclusively for blending. It is the top Speysider’s that give good blends their ‘Top Dressing’. 

Malts such as Mortlach, Glen Elgin, Strathmill and Benrinnes are rarely found as distillery bottlings, however when individual casks are tracked down by independent bottlers such as our Own Selection Single Malt Whiskies the resultant whisky can be quite wonderful.