Welcome to the Soleo Collection.

You may have noticed some changes going on at The Glenrothes recently. The arrival of our new collection of whiskies presented with some striking colours…you can’t really miss us!

Here at The Glenrothes, we wanted to highlight the importance of sherry seasoning to our whisky by choosing a name inspired by the origins of the finest Sherry. ‘Soleo’ is the natural sun-drying process that was used to prepare grapes to be placed in oak casks. The colours of the collection are inspired by the evolution of the grape as it matures from bright yellow to a rich, deep purple.

Our collection of age statement single malts are matured exclusively in sherry seasoned casks and bottled at natural colour. We’re proud to present The Glenrothes Soleo Collection.

The Glenrothes Soleo Collection will soon be available for purchase directly from our online shop.

The new Soleo Collection consists of a 10, 12 , 18 and 25 year old, alongside a stunning high strength non-age statement – Whisky Makers Cut. We’re already making waves, having won the Chairman’s award recently for The Glenrothes 25 year old, being rated 97 out of 100 ‘extraordinary’ with the ultimate recommendation!

#SpiritOfRothes

‘Spirit of Rothes’ is more than the name of our community. It’s a declaration that captures our approach to life and our love of whisky: no-nonsense, real and dedicated to whisky, above all else. By being signed up to our newsletter, you now have exclusive access to our distillery news and limited edition bottles!

Halloween Limited Edition

Trick or treat?  We say treat yourself to one of these, before they all fly away into the night.
As one of the only distilleries in the world next to a graveyard, we’ve always had a special affection for all things ghostly. That’s why we’ve decided to celebrate Halloween this year with a unique special edition single malt.

This Limited Edition is 13 years old, presented in a highly collectible black gloss Glenrothes bottle. The new make spirit was distilled on Halloween 2004, then filled in to casks the next day. Matured in 100% first-fill American Oak sherry-seasoned casks for 13 years, this is a perfectly balanced whisky that delivers notes of vanilla, banana and ginger.

As this whisky sold out so quickly on our shop we wanted to give our Spirit of Rothes community a heads-up that the remainder of the 2,202 limited bottles will be available soon through the following channels: amazon.co.uk (UK) amazon.es (Spain), whisky.de (Germany) and through selected retailers in Taiwan, China and the Philippines.
Keep your eyes peeled!

#SPIRITOFROTHES

Saturday, October 20th, 12-3PM:

Bruichladdich

Trickle Distilled from 100% scottish barley, Bruichladdich distillery’s methods date back to the 19th century – including some of the original Victorian machinery still used today. The process is both time and labor-intensive, but the results are well worth it. Guests will be treated to a variety of Bruichladdich’s highly-rated catalogue, presented by whisky ambassador Trent Simpson.

More Details & RSVP

From Guy Phenix at The WhiskyCrowd;

We are a Glasgow based Whisky start up that want to be the first to crowdfund a whisky cask. We have an amazing ex-Bordeaux cask filled with whisky distilled on Islay and has been maturing for the last 7 years. We are offering up 360 parts that correspond to a bottle, 50cl or 70cl. This enables people to own part of a whisky cask and then get a single cask, 61% hand bottled and labelled whisky from £58 with free UK shipping. When placing your order enter the exclusive Whisky Intelligence discount code WHINT5 to receive £5 off!

More info over at our website www.TheWhiskyCrowd.com or visit them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheWhiskyCrowd also on Instagram www.instagram.com/TheWhiskyCrowd

Glen Garioch 25 Year Old – Douglas Laing Platinum XOP

A rare example of Glen Garioch released as part of the 70th anniversary of Douglas Laing. The platinum collection represents some of the finest stocks of Single Malt in their vast warehouses.

Nose: A true sherry bomb . . . ripe stone fruits, raspberry conserve and spicy complexity.

Palate: Thick mouthfeel full of chocolate, coffee, and dried.

Finish: Sweet and oaky, with mature cedar spice.

£299.95

Buy Glen Garioch 25

https://youtu.be/dLQ-gVq2KB4

Eighteen years old! It’s coming in a quite a price tag but is it worth it? In a way yes, in a way, no – Yes in the sense of flavour! This is a big, bold and powerful style from OP – nothing like what I’ve tried before from them. Savory and sweet with contrasting notes of chocolate, salt, lemon, peanut butter and toffee. Putting it next to the 15 is like comparing a a Tesla to a Lamborghini, both brilliant but go about things in very different ways – I scored it quite high but it is putting itself in a very competitive area of pricing, i hope it’s sales reflect its true quality. Cheers

Opera in tune with distilling to be performed at Glen Scotia 

Glen Scotia distillery in Campbeltown is set to host one of the first performances of an exciting new opera set in a distillery and featuring music by Scot indie stars Admiral Fallow.

Navigate The Blood, which is written by Sian Evans, is about a couple whose son has disappeared in mysterious circumstances, with the action taking place in a small family distillery.

The new production combines singing, music, theatre and storytelling, and has been created to reflect the lives of the distillery community in Scotland. By being relevant to those based in Scotland’s distilling regions, it also aims to encourage new audiences to experience opera.

Distilling is an industry that employs, directly and indirectly, 41,000 people in Scotland and attracted two million tourists to various Scottish distilleries last year.

The contemporary opera features music by top Scottish indie-folk band, Admiral Fallow, who joined forces with composer Gareth Williams to push the collaborative boundaries and form this exciting new partnership. Working with Gareth, Sian and classical opera singers, they have embraced an intense writing process, resulting in a compelling first new work of modern opera by the talented and versatile musicians

The production will tour Scotland’s traditional distilling regions, from the Highlands, to the Lowlands, via Speyside, Islay and Campbeltown, where Glen Scotia will host the sole performance. Glen Scotia is one of only three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown, formerly known as the Victorian capital of Scotch.

Iain McAlister, Distillery Manager at Glen Scotia, said: “Navigate The Blood has been created to showcase Scotland’s distilling industry and we can’t wait for it to be performed here at Glen Scotia. Campbeltown, one of Scotland’s five official malt-producing regions, has a rich distilling heritage, with over 30 distilleries based in the town during its Victorian heyday when it was known as the Scotch capital of the world. We are extremely proud of our role as the sole host for Campbeltown.”

James Robert Carson, the founder and artistic director of New Opera in Scotland Events (NOISE), which is producing Navigate The Blood, said: “Scotland has a deep and historic involvement with the art of distilling. By performing Navigate the Blood in each of the five distinct distilling regions, NOISE has designed an opera that reflects and celebrates the success and continued innovation of this remarkable industry. The band Admiral Fallow and composer Gareth Williams have created a truly magical and original score, with a story set in a distillery.

“NOISE is delighted to be able to tour this new production to audiences who live and work in some of the country’s most important and unique working communities, such as Glen Scotia in Campbeltown.”

Navigate The Blood is to be performed at Glen Scotia Distillery on November 9. Tickets are available from www.seeticket.com.

Follow Glen Scotia on social media using the Twitter handle @GlenScotiaMalts or by visiting www.facebook.com/GlenScotiaWhisky/ 

Notes:

About Glen Scotia:

• Independent distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832.
• Glen Scotia is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.
• The Glen Scotia 18 Year Old Single Malt and Glen Scotia 25 Year Old Single Malt were each awarded Double Gold at the San Francisco International Spirits Competition 2018
• Glen Scotia was named Best Campbeltown Distillery of the Year at the 2017 Berlin International Spirits Competition
• Glen Scotia Victoriana won best Campbeltown Single Malt at World Whisky Awards 2017.
• Glen Scotia Double Cask was named Scottish Field Whisky of the Year 2016
• Glen Scotia 15 Year Old won Double Gold at the San Francisco International Spirits Competition 2016 

www.glenscotia.com

@glenscotiamalts

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019 – The Winners

It’s that time again: Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019 is landing imminently and Jim’s picks of the world’s top whiskies are in.

After a few years of controversial choices, with Scotch whisky bouncing in and out of the top three, and Japanese and Canadian whisky making headlines around the world, we’re back to safer ground with the most traditional set of results since 2014.

To grab all the results you can grab your own copy of the bible from our website, but in the meantime…

The winner of Jim Murray’s award for 2019 World Whisky of the Year is:

William Larue Weller 128.2 Proof – Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2017

An old favourite and one of Jim’s top three whiskies in every year but one since 2012. Unfortunately, as is always the case with the whiskies in the yearly Buffalo Trace Antique collection (BTAC), it’s sold out. You can sign up for an email alert in case we do find some more on the William Larue Weller 2017 page.

Second finest whisky in the world: Glen Grant 18 Years Old

A third appearance in the top three for the Glen Grant: second in the Whisky Bible 2017, third in 2018 and now second in the 2019 edition. Not bad for a whisky that hadn’t been officially released when it received its first award. It’s a delicate and complex dram and a worthy entry in the line-up. As of writing we have a few bottles left, but it’s sure to be sold out shortly – you can find out over on our Glen Grant 18 year old page.

Third finest whisky in the world: Thomas H Handy Sazerac 127.2 Proof – Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2017

Another BTAC entry, the Thomas H Handy has long been the geek’s choice in the yearly collection, and it has popped up in Jim’s top list a few times. Again it’s sold out, but you can sign up to get an email if we find more on the Thomas H Handy Sazerac 2017 page.

While full-sized bottles of both the Weller and Handy are sold out, we’ve just had a few more sample packs of the whole of the 2017 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection arrive – you can find them on our website here.

Jim Murray’s Single Cask of the Year: Blanton’s Gold Edition Single Barrel Bourbon

A potentially contentious winner: a bourbon that’s not regularly available in the USA. Blanton’s Gold almost all goes overseas, and a lot of it ends up being sent back to American whiskey lovers. It’s, as the award name suggests, a single-barrel bourbon, with every bottle produced from a single cask, without any mixing with others. Unfortunately, this does mean that it’s unlikely that you’ll get to try the same one as Jim, as we get a mix of different bottlings in every order and can’t guarantee which you’ll get. However, if you do get a bottle of barrel #40 dumped on 3 June 2017 and matured in warehouse H, rick 79 then you’re in luck – that’s the winner.

It’s in stock as I type, but it probably won’t last long – don’t worry, we get it in regularly. You can grab a bottle from our Blanton’s Gold Edition page.

The full list of winners

The Whisky Bible is more than just the top awards, with Jim’s year-long tasteathon throwing out more great drams. Here’s the full list:

2019 World Whisky of the Year
William Larue Weller 128.2 Proof

Second Finest Whisky in the World
Glen Grant Aged 18 Years

Third Finest Whisky in the World
Thomas Handy Sazerac Rye 127.2 Proof

Single Cask of the Year
Blanton’s Gold Edition Single Barrel

SCOTCH

Scotch Whisky of the Year
Glen Grant Aged 18 Year Old

Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Casks)
Glen Grant Aged 18 Year Old

Single Malt of the Year (Single Cask)
The Last Drop Glenrothes 1969 Cask 16207

Scotch Blend of the Year
Ballantine’s 17 Year Old

Scotch Grain of the Year
Berry Bros & Rudd Cambus 26 Years Old

Scotch Vatted Malt of the Year
Collectivum XXVIII

Single Malt Scotch

No Age Statement
Laphroaig Lore

10 Years & Under (Multiple Casks)
Laphroaig 10 Year Old

10 Years & Under (Single Cask)
Berry Bros & Rudd Ardmore 9 Year Old

11-15 Years (Multiple Casks)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old 17th Release Special Releases 2017

11-15 Years (Single Cask)
Cadenhead’s Rum Cask Mortlach 14 Year Old

16-21 Years (Multiple Casks)
Glen Grant Aged 18 Year Old

16-21 Years (Single Cask)
Bowmore 19 Year Old The Feis Ile Collection

22-27 Years (Multiple Casks)
Talisker 25 Year Old Bot.2017

22-27 Years (Single Cask)
Scotch Malt Whisky Society Glen Grant Cask 9.128 24 Year Old

28-34 Years (Multiple Casks)
Convalmore 32 Year Old

28-34 Years (Single Cask)
Gleann Mor Port Ellen Aged 33 Year Old

35-40 Years (Multiple Casks)
Benromach 39 Year Old 1977 Vintage

35-40 Years (Single Cask)
Glenfarclas The Family Casks 1979

41 Years & Over (Multiple Casks)
Tomatin Warehouse 6 Collection 1972

41 Years & Over (Single Cask)
The Last Drop Glenrothes 1969 Cask 16207

BLENDED SCOTCH

No Age Statement (Standard)
Ballantine’s Finest

5-12 Years
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old

13-18 Years
Ballantine’s 17 Year Old

19 – 25 Years
Royal Salute 21 Year Old

26 – 50 Years
Royal Salute 32 Year Old Union of the Crowns

IRISH WHISKEY

Irish Whiskey of the Year
Redbreast Aged 12 Year Cask Strength

Irish Pot Still Whiskey of the Year
Redbreast Aged 12 Year Cask Strength

Irish Single Malt of the Year
Bushmills Distillery Reserve 12 Year Old

Irish Blend of the Year
Bushmills Black Bush

Irish Single Cask of the Year
The Irishman 17 Year Old

AMERICAN WHISKEY

Bourbon of the Year
William Larue Weller 128.2 Proof

Rye of the Year
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac 127.2 Proof

US Micro Whisky of the Year
Garrison Brothers Balmorhea

US Micro Whisky of the Year (Runner Up)
Balcones Peated Texas Single Malt

BOURBON

No Age Statement (Single Barrel)
Blanton’s Gold Edition Single Barrel

No Age Statement (Multiple Barrels)
William Larue Weller 128.2 Proof

Up To 10 Years
Eagle Rare 10 Year Old

11 – 15 Years
Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 Year Old

16 – 20 Years
Abraham Bowman Sweet XVI Bourbon

11 Years & Over
Orphan Barrel Rhetoric 24 Year Old

RYE

No Age Statement
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac 127.2 Proof

Up to 10 Years
Knob Creek Cask Strength

11 Years & Over
Sazerac 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)

CANADIAN WHISKY

Canadian Whisky of the Year
Canadian Club Chronicles: Issue No. 1 Water of Windsor 41 Year Old

JAPANESE WHISKY

Japanese Whisky of the Year
The Hakushu Paul Rusch

EUROPEAN WHISKY

European Whisky of the Year (Multiple)
Nestville Master Blender 8 Years Old Whisky (Slovakia)

European Whisky of the Year (Single)
The Norfolk Farmers Single Grain Whisky (England)

WORLD WHISKIES

Asian Whisky of the Year
Amrut Greedy Angels 8 Year Old (India)

Southern Hemisphere Whisky of the Year
Belgrove Peated Rye (Australia)

Braes of Glenlivet 23 Year Old – Maltbarn

From the scarcely seen Braes of Glenlivet distillery comes the new release from Maltbarn, our favourite German bottler.

Nose: Candied fruit notes, with delicate sweetness, caramelised pears and honey.

Palate: Sweet and fruity with orchard fruits and tropipcal fruits in sweet harmony.

Finish: Oaky vanilla notes with cream and white chocolate.

£134.95

Buy Braes of Glenlivet

Friday, October 19th, 5-7PM:

Heaven Hill 

. Established in 1935, Heaven Hill has worked to perfect the craft of distilling, aging and selecting award-winning whiskeys for decades. Elijah Craig, Larceny, Parker’s, and many more beloved American spirits are just a few of their successes. To-date, Heaven Hill is the only American distiller that produces every style of whiskey, and have claimed 12 Whiskey of the Year awards (and 12 more Double Gold Medal awards) for their extensive spirit lineup.

More Details & RSVP

GlenDronach 15 Year Old Revival

The return of a legend. New 2018 bottling following a three year absence. Aged in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. On the nose incredible concentration of aromas. Treacle toffee and chocolate orange. A very dynamic and full bodied dram for its age. Chewy with coffee chocolate and treacle scones. Glendronach Malt Whisky Distillery was established north east of Huntley in the Highland whiskey region by James Allardice in 1826. The malting floors at Glendronach Distillery closed in 1996 and it was the last distillery in Scotland to heat its stills directly with flames from a coal-fired furnace, until it had to comply with new regulations in 2005. Glendronach Distillery is resplendent with a traditional cask iron mash tun, wooden washbacks, four stills. Famous for its well-aged and top quality sherried single malt, for example Glendronach 21 Year Old Parliament, and single cask releases. The distillery is now owned by Brown Forman of America.

Buy – GlenDronach 15 Year Old – £59.95