A blast from the past, this Glenrothes 1997 19 Years from Whiskybroker sold like hotcakes some five years ago. If I remember correctly, it set you back about 60 or 70 euro, which was a very decent price even back then, let alone now. I didn’t buy it when it was released and I’ve always wondered if that was a mistake, especially since some sister casks were much to my liking.
Now that I’ve tried this single cask Glenrothes 1997 19 Years from Whiskybroker – and wasn’t as much of a standout as some of the others – I can’t help but wonder if that is because this particular cask is inferior, or whether that means my preferences have changed. Either way I can’t say I enjoyed this release as much as similar ones that I tried years ago. It at least answers one question: I’ve no reason to regret not acquiring a bottle when I could. FOMO eat your heart out.
Glenrothes 1997 19 Years (53.5%, Whiskybroker.co.uk, C#7157)
Nose: The intensity it turned up to 11. There’s sweet and sour touches of cassis and aceto balsamico, but also meaty and sulphury whiffs. Burnt toast, dark chocolate and a slight bitterness.
Taste: Thick and sticky, the palate isn’t as dry as you might think, but still pretty dry nonetheless. There’s whiffs of mocha, aniseed and toffee, as well as a good amount of dark chocolate. Finally some subtle spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and a pinch of pepper.
Finish: After Eights and fermented grapes with a touch of rubber. Long.
