Glenrothes 1972

[jwise]

I am a huge Glenrothes fan. I have a "few" vintages from the distillery: 1972, 1984, 1985, 1991, 1992, 1995, and 1998. These don't include the 8 - 30 year old independent bottlings I have.

The Select Reserve is their NAS offering, otherwise they release "vintages" instead of standard offerings. After each vintage has run its course and the distributors are out of it, the vintage becomes "extinct". So if you find a vintage you like, buy up, because once they're gone, they're GONE!

So imagine my surprise when I found a dusty bottle of the 1972 in a mom-n-pop shop down in Houston, Texas back in January of 2011! The 1972 was bottled in 2004, were distributed to exporters/importers then made their way through the retail networks, mostly selling out within a few years. However, MY bottle somehow lasted seven years on the shelf!



On to the review!

ABV: 43%
Distilled: 1972
Bottled: 2004
Age: 32 years
Tasting Notes by the Distiller: Aromatic, Spicy, Seville Oranges

Nose: Honey, currants, and such a dark, inviting aroma. This is not a light, crisp, with slight hints of honey aroma, this whisky has a big, bold, and inviting aroma that draws you in! Honey and marmalade and big plump currants, and maybe some apples dipped in caramel. Really nice...

Taste: Oh my! There is a lot more to this whisky than just a sweet smell! The flavors are dark, rich, and round. The orange in the marmalade has been candied, bringing out more than just the sugar! The complexity is delightful! The sides of the tongue tingles with a bit of pepper and spice as the tip is tantalized by the sweet candied orange peel! However, there is a dark richness that flows through the mouth, warming, and lingering. A bit of oak, I suppose, more nutty. Walnuts. Toasted walnuts? Like I said, this whisky has a lot going on. The depth of its flavors are really its tribute.

Finish: The orange peel comes back. Maybe a hint of dark chocolate? Slightly citrus, but candied. Something darker, enveloping... Coating my mouth with a deliciousness that doesn't easily go away. Good!

It is hard to compare this whisky to anything else I've had, and I've had a lot. It's the depth of its flavors, and the darkness that are its fingerprints. I've tasted others with "candied orange peel" flavors, but the roundness of this expression is what is so remarkable. I suppose it is the 32 years in the oak cask, but it is something special in the mouth!

I REALLY like this whisky! Not just because it is expensive, or because it is old, or because it is an extinct vintage from Glenrothes, so there is a very minute chance anyone reading this will ever get an opportunity to try it themselves. I really like this whisky because it is a delightfully crafted malt with depth of character. I could drink it all night, except I am trying to nurse this bottle for at least a little while longer!

[jwise]

After writing my own review, I decided to see what others had to say...

Originally Posted by liquorature.com

In this lovely old limited release 1972: Dusty and old jams n’ jellies. Spicy oak notes, empty cigar boxes and honey nougat (the stuff of Toblerone). Fruits are primarily of the dehydrated and dessicated sort…mainly dried apricot. After it sat a bit, I got the faintest coal notes.

The palate is mixed dried fruit, but primarily prune and apricot. Cloves and wet wood. Takes us into granny smith apple territory towards the end. Mature and lovely. Great depth and flavors that bend and transform over time on the palate.

One of the best ‘Rothes I’ve tried. …So far.

Originally Posted by Slainte

The Glenrothes 1972 Vintage 32 Year Old, 43% ABV
Single malt Scotch whisky (Speyside)

Appearance: Red-tan.

Nose: Spices (cinnamon especially), juicy fruits (red apples, oranges, pears), and sherry.

Palate: Fruity, sweet candy. Banana and light leather.

Finish: Some wood and spices lull me into never-never land.

Rating (of 100): 90. Just a great, old whisky that is sweet but not cloying and is packed with elegance. Perhaps a bit thin on the palate, though, which might be helped by bottling at a higher alcohol content. As if they're going to take my advice on a whisky that's no longer produced.

[Islay Peat]

Nice review, and it's helping my curiosity regarding older releases.

This past year I'd established that I preferred younger bottlings, mostly around the 10 year mark, but am interested in finding if that will change or stay much the same.

Thanks for sharing this Glenrothes that many of us may never see.