The Glenrothes 12 Years The Soleo Collection Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl / 40 % Schottland

In 2018, the Speyside distillery Glenrothes turned its previous range on its head and launched sherry cask matured single malts with an age statement. Here is the 12-year-old version with notes of vanilla, melon, banana and cinnamon.

The Glendalough Distillery advertises its products, which are produced outside the village of Rothes on a tiny, wooded stream, as “Luxury Speyside Single Malt Whisky”. Previously, the range was characterized by reserve bottlings without age statements and vintage bottlings with year statements, which were considered a Glenrothes specialty. However, following the takeover by the Edrington Group (also responsible for The Macallan, Highland Park and The Famous Grouse), a radical change was in the offing. The reserve and vintage versions have been discontinued once and for all. Instead, the “Aqua Collection” and the “Soleo Collection” have been available since the end of 2018, whose whiskies are predominantly presented with an age statement. The infamous, rounded Glenrothes bottle has not been changed in favor of the high recognition value on the spirits shelf. And as if in response to the wishes of customers, sherry casks were given more prominence than ever before. The Spanish term “Soleo” already hints at the sherry influence, as this is normally used by southern winegrowers. Maturation in sherry barrels not only brings advantages in terms of taste: As the wood soaked with the sweet wine gives off particularly intense color notes, all whiskies could be bottled with their natural color. The labels now also feature a small aromatic classification of the respective whisky in handwriting.
With its vanilla, melon, banana and cinnamon aromas, De Glenrothes 12 Years reflects the style of the house, which is characterized as fruity, nutty and sweet and spicy. The maturation took place exclusively in sherry casks, which are not described in detail.