Some of the best spirits in the world have come from a change in style by the distiller. Most of the time this is done without fully knowing what the end result will taste like. For Glenrothes, Master Distiller John Ramsey this was something he had to try. Known for their smooth, flavorful range of Whiskies, The Glenrothes offers a variety of bottlings ranging from a Vintage 1975 bottling through a Vintage 1998, the Glenrothes most frequently uses a combination of Spanish and American oak, seasoned with sherry, bourbon and malt Scotch.
When John Ramsey conjured up the concept for Alba Reserve he knew he wanted to do something different. The name Ouercus Alba when translated from Latin means white Oak. Alba also happens to the word for Scotland in the Gaelic language. With the Alba Reserve, John Ramsey aged his whisky in these very same white American oak casks that the name speaks of.
Applying this different barrel styling with the aspects such as extended fermentation time, water that’s harvested from nearby Ardcanny and Brauchhill Springs results in a whisky that begins with sweet, smooth notes. So smooth to the point that I had to check the bottle to remind myself I was actually sipping whisky, and not an entirely different liquid. As you continue to taste your palate is welcomed by hints of evergreen, sweet vanilla, clean precise characters of espresso that is followed up by sweet caramel, a touch here and there of cinnamon that leads into a combination of subtle cocoa and mint in the finish.
Glenrothes Alba Reserve is an exquisite whisky that embodies the style The Glenrothes line is known for and does what any good whisky should do,make one happy
Final Score : 9.5/10
I sat down with Ronnie Cox, the global ambassador for the Glenrothes. I think we tasted through about 6 or 7 different products, but this one kicked everything’s ass.
Happy to see that it made waves with someone else, too!