Scotch Whisky Casks, Glenrothes, 2016

Why Glenrothes Casks?
History
In 1878, construction began on the site that previously housed a sawmill. James Stewart initiated the distillery's construction, but due to financial difficulties, Robert Dick and William Grant took over, completing the construction and commencing production in December 1879. With a growing demand for whisky, Glenrothes joined forces with Bunnahabhain in 1887 to form Highland Distillers. By 1898, the annual output reached 1.36 million liters, fueled by additional stills.
Fires in 1897 and 1922, along with a near-destruction by explosion in 1903, posed challenges. Despite setbacks, the distillery was repaired or rebuilt each time. The Prohibition, World War I, and the Wall Street Crash of 1929 led to a temporary halt in production, but Glenrothes soon rebounded. Additional stills in 1963 and 1979, coupled with changes in heating methods, marked periods of expansion.
The sale of Glenrothes Vintage 1979 in 1994 marked a turning point. In 1999, the Edrington Group acquired Highland Distillers, including Glenrothes, and in 2010, the rights to the whisky brand were sold to Berry Bros & Rudd.

Unique Maturation Process
Glenrothes distinguishes itself by avoiding simple age statements like 10, 12, or 18 years. Instead, the distillery is renowned for its Vintage Releases. The whisky matures in Spanish Sherry casks, with a smaller portion in American oak, achieving an ideal flavor balance. From the tall-necked stills, the light, pure, and fruity new make spirit evolves into a whisky with a mature bouquet of berries and sugared fruits, occasionally showcasing spicy or floral notes. Each Glenrothes Vintage Release has a distinctive aromatic profile, sourced exclusively from whiskies distilled in the same year.

Beyond Vintages
Apart from the core Vintage Releases, additional expressions under the "Reserve" label, such as Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve and Glenrothes Alba Reserve, offer diverse flavor experiences.

Natural Setting
Situated at the foot of the Mannoch Hills, Glenrothes Distillery draws water from natural sources named Ardcanny and Brauchhill, which feed the Burn of Rothes. While malting is outsourced to Tamdhu Maltings, located only 12 miles away, Glenrothes handles milling, mashing, and distillation on-site. Notably, the distillery boasts its own cooperage, a rarity in modern times.

The Mashing Process
Glenrothes employs a large mash tun with a copper lid, capable of holding 5 tons. Three hot water cycles extract sugar from the malt during each mashing. The resulting wort is cooled and transferred to washbacks for fermentation. The third water cycle completes the sugar extraction and is reused in the next mashing.

Distillation Artistry
Ten pot stills, comprising five wash stills and five spirit stills, work in pairs at Glenrothes, producing a light, fruity, and elegant new make spirit due to their tall shape. The heart cut constitutes about 20% of the distillate, with a strength of 68-72% ABV.

Unique Cask Filling
Glenrothes fills casks with new make spirit at 68.9% ABV, a higher strength compared to the industry standard. Predominantly employing Sherry casks for the fruity, aromatic profile, the distillery also uses Bourbon casks to achieve a balanced flavor profile. The maturing whisky undergoes thorough monitoring and is selected for bottling at the peak of maturity.

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