Rosebank Distillery celebrates final expression in first series of revered legacy releases

Rosebank Distillery has released a 32 year old, the third and final expression in its highly-anticipated legacy series

To mark the iconic launch of this bottling, renowned composer Des Oliver has created a moving piece of music inspired from its tasting notes, performed at Rosebank Distillery, by world-famous Chineke! Orchestra 

This 32 year old Rosebank is composed from a careful selection of rare casks from the limited stocks left prior to the distillery’s closure 30 years ago

Rosebank Distillery has unveiled the final expression in its celebrated Legacy Series, a 32 year old.  To celebrate this landmark, a bespoke piece of orchestral music has been commissioned, inspired by the whisky itself.

Collaborating with esteemed composer, Des Oliver, tasting notes from the first sip of this exceptionally crafted Scotch whisky have inspired the composition of “Rosebank Reawakening”, a new musical piece performed by the globally revered, contemporary orchestra Chineke!

The score celebrates the crescendo of the much-loved first global series of releases from the distillery under the custodianship of Ian Macleod Distillers and commemorates the revival of the Rosebank Distillery as it opens to the public later this summer after ceasing production more than three decades ago.

Des Oliver, who holds a doctorate in composition from Oxford University and has previously worked with the London Symphony Orchestra, was invited to immerse himself at the revived distillery. Emma Oakes, Blender and Malcolm Rennie, Distillery Manager, introduced Des to a first sip of this rare 32 year old Rosebank earlier this year to inspire the composition.

From the tasting experience, a musical journey that perfectly encapsulates this Scotch whisky was written and then performed by Chineke! Orchestra at the distillery.  Its recording now provides a new way to savour this rich and complex whisky.

Des Oliver comments: “My piece was conceived as a journey inspired by the unique flavours of the Rosebank 32 year old.  I was drawn to the idea of translating the nuances of the spirit into a sonic landscape, choosing to write it in a way that reflected the multifaceted nature of this whisky.

“The composition evolves like my tasting experience, with each moment capturing a different aspect of the whisky’s flavour profile – from its initial smoothness and richness to the subtle hints of oak and spice. The piece invites listeners to immerse themselves fully in the sensory journey of the whisky, from the initial anticipation to the subtle echoes of flavour that resonate long after the final note has faded.”

Malcolm Rennie, Distillery Manager said: “I am extremely proud to announce the arrival of Rosebank 32 year old, it is an exceptional dram, which perfectly exemplifies the qualities that earned Rosebank reverence as the “King of the Lowlands”.  It not only marks the final expression in our first legacy series, but also symbolises a new era for Rosebank, as we prepare to open the doors of our revived distillery.”

“Working with Des and Chineke! has been fascinating, and to see them interpret their experience of this whisky and create such stunning piece of inspired music fills me with so much pride. Listening to it whilst savouring a dram completely elevates the tasting notes, making for a magical experience.”

The 32 year old, which follows releases of a 30 and 31 year old, has been composed from the limited casks retained from before the distillery closed, more than 30 years ago.

Rich and complex, yet elegant and balanced, Rosebank 32 year old offers sweet aromas of pineapples and candied ginger, mingling with lemon and marzipan with hints of white pepper and coffee. On the palate, the mouthfeel is velvety and showcases hints of malt, thyme, butterscotch, and tropical fruits. A soft, long finish has notes of lemon, honeyed porridge, and toasted walnuts.

Rosebank is one of the first Scotch whisky brands to launch this expression with Near-Field Communication technology tags on every bottle. Consumers hold their phone over the NFC tag for immediate bottle authenticity and an enhanced consumer journey. This then provides an exclusive deep dive on this 32 year old release, including bespoke tasting videos, and further expression information.

Rosebank 32 year old has an ABV of 47.6%, and an RRP of £2,100. It will be available to purchase at https://www.rosebank.com/rosebank-32-year-old-release-three from 13th May 2024 at 9am.

To find out more about Rosebank Distillery, please visit www.rosebank.com

About Rosebank 32 year old

Nose: Elegant and balanced, boiled sweeties, pineapple cubes, dried apricot, gentle oak, candied ginger, lemon drizzle, marzipan, hints of white pepper and café latte.

Palate: Velvet mouthfeel with good body, hints of malt, thyme, butterscotch, tropical fruits, drying oak and softly warming spice.

Finish: Soft and long with lemon, honeyed porridge and toasted walnut.

ABV: 47.6%

RRP: £2,100

About Rosebank Distillery

Owned by Ian Macleod Distillers, one of Scotland’s leading independent family-owned distillers, “The King of the Lowlands” makes a highly-anticipated return on 7th June.

After being mothballed in 1993, Rosebank will open to visitors next month, with the renovation that breathes life back into this esteemed Scottish distillery and the surrounding community in Falkirk. Rosebank single malt was once known as the “The King of the Lowlands”, and the distillery’s meticulous restoration has spanned the last four years, resulting in its’ stunning revival that retains much of the history of the original buildings.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased directly at www.rosebank.com

About Des Oliver:

•    Des has been in the music industry since he was 14 years old; plays the trumpet and piano.
•    Studied at the Guild Hall of Music and Drama followed by the Royal Academy of Music. Since then, he has been composing music.
•    He has taught composition at Brunel University, Magdalen College, St John’s, St Hugh’s, Christ Church, Exeter, and University College, Oxford and was a Senior Lecturer in composition and music production at the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM), Guildford.
•    Completed his doctorate in composition and critical writing at Worcester College, Oxford and was recently appointed as Jerwood Composer-in-Residence at the London Symphony Orchestra.
•    Des made a documentary film called ‘The identity and anxiety of influence’ which explored issues surrounding black identity with the breadth of new music produced by BAME composers across the UK. Part of the documentary included an interview with Chi-Chi- Nwanoku CBE (double bass player and founder of the Chineke! Orchestra).

About Chineke! Orchestra:

•    Chineke! was founded in 2015 by the double bass player, Chi-chi Nwanoku CBE, to provide career opportunities for Black and ethnically diverse classical musicians in the UK and Europe. Chineke!’s mission is: ‘Championing change and celebrating diversity in classical music’.
•    The Chineke! Orchestra, the Foundation’s flagship ensemble, works closely with its sister ensemble, the Chineke! Junior Orchestra, a youth orchestra of Black and ethnically diverse players aged between 11 and 22, with senior players acting as mentors, teachers and role models to the young musicians.
•    In 2017, the Chineke! Orchestra made its BBC Proms debut at the Royal Albert Hall in August and performed at many other leading festivals throughout Europe including Lucerne Festival and Edinburgh Festival, all to great critical acclaim. The ensemble is currently a Resident Orchestra at the Southbank Centre. Chineke! has released five CDs to date, which you can hear on Spotify