Glenrothes-Glenlivet 24 Years Old 1989 Cadenhead Small Batch (56.9%, Cadenheads, Bourbon Barrels, 360 Bottles, 2013)

• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: Glenrothes Distillery
• Bottler: Wm Cadenhead’s Small Batch
• ABV: 56.9%
• Cost: £90.25

What they say

This single malt Scotch whisky from the Glenrothes distillery comes to us by way of WM Cadenhead’s Small Batch range of independently bottled whiskies. The Speyside spirit was placed in bourbon barrels in 1989 and left to mature for 24 long years before it was bottled by one of the oldest independent bottlers in Scotland. 360 bottles.

What I say

A 24 year old bourbon-barrel matured Glenrothes from Cadenhead’s small batch range, a vatting of probably 2 barrels produced this 360 bottle outturn at cask strength of 56.9% ABV. Sampled at Edinburgh University Water of Life Society.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Full amber gold (8/20), quick-moving large tears leave thick legs
• Nose: Caramelised sugars, woody, pear and banana estery fruits, something quite green and vegetal on the nose, new leaves, foliage, greengage, gooseberry, apple, grape and melon quite fresh fruits
• Taste: Smooth on the palate, rich maple syrup, demerara sugar, candies/sweeties, fruit medley of melon, apple, pear, peach, toffee and fudge deepen to molasses and treacle
• Finish: Medium length, sweet toffee and green fruits persist

Overall

Another Glenrothes that I really like, and again in the 18-25 age group. I feel some of the younger and official bottlings sadly didn’t really impress me enough to be memorable. This bourbon barrel vatting from Cadenhead’s however has a great depth of woody sugar but a really fresh fruit salad character with intensity and complexity within both those flavours. Good stuff!

Score 89/100

Shop for Glenrothes 24 year old small batch (opens Master of Malt)

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