We’re thrilled to introduce our latest exclusive single malt – a delicious, heavily-sherried Glenrothes 2009, bottled by Gordon & MacPhail at 54.4% ABV. We know many of you are already fans of the distillery’s weighty, spicy and fruity style of single malt, but for those looking to dive in for the first time we’ve written a quick guide to the distillery, the bottler and the whisky.
About Glenrothes
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We’re big fans of the Glenrothes distillery, which is situated at the heart of Scotland’s famed Speyside region beside the tranquil Burn of Rothes. It was established in 1878 and almost failed before it started: the initial investors, who all held ownership of Macallan at the time, encountered setbacks tied to the collapse of the Glasgow Bank, leading to a split in the group. However, the determined trio of William Grant (distinct from Glenfiddich), Robert Dick, and John Cruikshank pressed on with their Rothes plan, ultimately completing the distillery with a timely loan from the United Free Presbyterian Church of Knockando, known for their strict teetotal beliefs but guided by the spirit of Christian charity.
Despite its challenging beginnings, Glenrothes thrived, and its amalgamation with Bunnahabhain in 1887 gave rise to Highland Distillers. Acting as agents, Robertson & Baxter recognized Glenrothes as top-notch blending material, notably contributing to brands like Cutty Sark and The Famous Grouse. A hundred years later, Glenrothes became part of the portfolio of London wine merchants Berry Brothers & Rudd, strengthening its ties with Cutty Sark. This partnership evolved in 1993 when the vintner introduced vintages, showcasing different aspects of the whisky’s maturation in smaller single-year batches, moving away from standard age statements. Most recently the distillery has been acquired by Edrington, and just a year later The Glenrothes 25 Year Old secured the prestigious Chairman’s Trophy for Best Speyside Single Malt at the 2018 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
Glenrothes produces a complex style of single malt with an elegant character that results from its use of tall stills with boil bulbs. It’s often, as in the case with our bottling, matured in sherry casks to bring out an extra dimension of fruity flavours.
About Gordon & MacPhail:
Gordon & MacPhail is a legendary name in the whisky industry. Their story begins about two decades after that of Glenrothes, when James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail set the foundation for a grocery and wine merchant business. They were swiftly joined by John Urquhart, who in 1915 assumed the role of senior partner and steered the firm toward bottling single malts under license for renowned distilleries, including The Glenlivet.
Not content with merely following the industry’s norms, Urquhart took a visionary approach, laying down casks of new-make spirit across various Speyside distilleries. The foresight behind this move was twofold – either for future blending endeavours or for the unique prospect of bottling them as exceptional single malts. The stage was set for a journey that would intertwine tradition with innovation, leaving an indelible mark on the Scotch whisky landscape.
As well as laying down and bottling extraordinary stocks of single malt, Gordon & MacPhail also had long-term ambitions to operate a distillery, something that was realised in 1993 when the company purchased Benromach.
Glenrothes 2009: Exclusive to The Whisky World
Bottled from a single, first-fill sherry hogshead which had been filled in 2009, this 14-year-old Glenrothes single malt is presented at 54.4% ABV, a strength which allows its complexity to shine. This is a whisky to take your time over and savour the changing aromas in the glass.
Tasting notes from Gordon & MacPhail:
Fragrant vanilla aromas intertwine with stewed raisin and orange marmalade. Rich sultana flavours complement demerara sugar and dark forest fruits. A smooth, medium-bodied finish with lingering toffee apples.