THE GLENROTHES REBRANDS ‘ALBA RESERVE’ AS THE BOURBON CASK RESERVE
Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits is delighted to announce the launch of the Bourbon Cask Reserve from award-winning Speyside distillery, The Glenrothes.
In a bid to be more transparent, The Glenrothes has renamed the expression ‘Alba Reserve’ as the Bourbon Cask Reserve. The name has been changed for the sake of simplicity and to aid consumer understanding.
The first certified kosher whisky from the highly-regarded Speyside distillery – Bourbon Cask Reserve is matured exclusively in American oak refill bourbon casks and laid to rest in the warehouse, allowing the whisky to pull the aromas and flavours embedded in the grain of the wood.
The Glenrothes’ normal wood policy uses a combination of Spanish and American oak, seasoned with sherry, bourbon and refill Scotch. Of those only bourbon is 100% kosher. Despite the level of residual sherry in The Glenrothes measuring no more than 1250 parts per million, sherry is not kosher. So The Glenrothes developed an expression to satisfy Orthodox Jewish whisky enthusiasts as well as other aficionados of The Glenrothes.
Bourbon Cask Reserve was authenticated by Rabbi Padwa of the London Beth Din in March 2009 and annually thereafter. A stamp from the London Beth Din certifying the whisky’s kosher status appears on the back label.
According to Doug McIvor, Spirits Buyer for Berry Bros. & Rudd; “The Bourbon Cask Reserve hits all the right notes. The most soft, succulent, sweet and satisfying Speyside single malt I have ever come across.” As ‘Alba Reserve’ it won a Double Gold at San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The Glenrothes believe that maturity matters more than age; this is the philosophy that underpins the Vintages as well as the Reserve Selections. Each expression has its own unique personality, and this expression is described as “coconut and vanilla, rich and sweet.”
The Glenrothes Bourbon Cask Reserve 40% ABV Appearance: Pale straw, clear and bright. Bouquet: Fresh, floral, coconut, American oak vanilla. Palate: Soft mellow, crème brûlée and berry fruits. Finish: Smooth, sweet, medium length.
The Glenrothes Bourbon Cask Reserve is already available in the USA and will be gradually rolled out into key markets; it will be priced at £45 (€ 59, US$ 55, NT$ 2,600) per bottle.
www.theglenrothes.com
Notes:
The Glenrothes was founded in 1879.
Only 3% of the distillery capacity is bottled as Single Malt to ensure exceptional quality.
Of the 22 Vintages released to date, 14 have entirely sold out.
The Glenrothes is an award-winning Speyside Single Malt Whisky of exceptional quality. A combination of many factors, including our unusually slow distillation process in tall copper pot stills, deliver our characteristic sweet, fruity and elegant spirit. Further flavours are derived from our extensive knowledge of maturation in oak casks. Each expression has its own unique personality, underpinned by the distinctive, hallmark characteristics of the distillery – ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and an exquisite spicy finish all encased in the creamiest of textures and with a complex and well-poised balance.
The Glenrothes is only selected for bottling when it has reached its zenith of maturity; each cask is carefully checked, nosed and tasted many times. An age statement does not reveal the maturity of the whisky and so the Glenrothes is bottled only when ready, meaning mature and at its peak of perfection. Malt whisky matures at its own pace as shown by the two casks selected.
Some of our recent awards and accolades for current bottlings:
The Glenrothes Bourbon Cask Reserve
- Excellent, Highly Recommended (92/100), Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2014
- Double Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
- Silver, International Spirits Challenge 2010
The Glenrothes Vintage Reserve
- Gold, Scotch Whisky Masters 2015
- Double Gold, China Wine & Spirits Awards 2015
- Gold, The Asian Spirits Masters 2015
- “Officially Amazing”, Guinness World Record holder for largest Burns Supper, 2015
The Glenrothes Select Reserve
- Gold, Scotch Whisky Masters 2015
- Gold, The Asian Spirits Masters 2015
- Gold, San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition 2012
The Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve
- Double Gold, WSWA 2015
- Recommended, Whisky Magazine, Issue 123, February 2015
- Difford’s Guide, Exceptional 5 out of 5 stars 2014
The Glenrothes 1998 Vintage
- Silver medal, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2011
- 93/100, Excellent/Highly Recommended, Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011
- Silver, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2010
- Silver, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
The Glenrothes 1995 Vintage
- Gold, Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit 2013
- Silver, International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2013
- 92/100, Excellent/Highly Recommended, Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011
The Glenrothes 1988 Vintage
- Silver, The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2012
The Glenrothes 1978 Vintage
- World’s Best Speyside Single Malt. World Whiskies Awards 2008
