Review#15: The Glenrothes Select Reserve

I picked this one up recently as part of a gift or sample pack while on holiday in northern NSW. It came with the 1995 and 1998 vintage bottling's and also three mini Glencairn nosing glasses which was really cool. I'll review the vintage bottling's at some point in the future but I was really quite happy to pick these up as they seem to be hard to come by and thanks to my wife who spotted it behind the counter and suggested I pick it up - Nice one lovey!

The Select Reserve is the house style of the Glenrothes, an entry level NAS whisky which I for one am very impressed with. Apparently whisky from this distillery is aged in bourbon and sherry barrels - nothing unusual there. This malt is apparently used in well known blends including "The Famous Grouse" and "Cutty Sark". The Glenrothes single malt is owned by Berri Brothers and Rudd but the distillery is owned by the Edrington Group - an unusual situation.

Price: I'm really happy with the package I picked up given that it had 3 different whiskies within containing 100ml each, 2 of which being vintages are likely to be rare and hard to come across. 6/6

Availability: This is an available whisky, I can walk to my local bottle shop and pick it up, I can get it in good whiskey bars but not all bars: 5/6

Marketing: check out the link to the website for some good videos that give a virtual distillery tour and tasting notes!: 6/6

http://www.theglenrothes.com/ 

Packaging and Label: Nice and distinctive cardboard box very recyclable. Three bonus glasses included - very good! The bottle is also nice and distinct - quite round. The label is not offensive and states 43% ABV, Brief tasting notes are provided, NAS (No Age Statement) whiskey, No statement on chill filtering or addition of colorant either: 4/6 

Appearance: Legs are present on the glass when rolled gently and look nice and thick, the whisky looks a pale straw yellow I couldn't imagine any colorant was added to this, full marks: 6/6

Nose is sweet malty, a little spicey, as in its tickling my nose, some oak and walnut in there too, something buttery and fudgey and a little something fruity  - quite nice, as I'm drinking it I'm starting to pick up a little marzipan, hay and more malt - very nice and interesting, a hint of coconut, a little citrus and fresh grass. This has a really lovely nose I have spent quite a bit of time just enjoying putting my nose to the glass: 20/20

Taste on entry: Light sweet lemony citrus like sweet lemon drop lollies, A little spice which develops on the finish: 18/20

Mouthfeel: Quite good actually nice and buttery: 9/10

Finish: Citrus giving way to spice - medium length. Lovely sweet lemon zesty spiciness. Something a little hotter then ginger although possibly close to how I experienced ginger as a child maybe something a little more peppery though I'm thinking mace or nut meg quite a dry finish to the whiskey: 18/20

Wow! I'm very impressed with this one. I had no expectations of it when I opened the bottle and I'm really quite pleased. This is a lovely Speyside whiskey, light fruity malty with an intriguing nose and lovely to drink, very nice for a summer dram. Very happy - will buy a full bottle and would recommend.

Total score: 92/100

Cheers,
Kev.