This is a nice whisky, but it shows a lighter, more elegant side of Glenrothes. It doesn’t express the rich, opulent notes often shown in Glenrothes (like the 1972 Vintage, for example).
Glenrothes, 1994 Vintage, $43%, $78
Very bright and lively. Nice balance of flavors too. Zesty fruit (lemon, peach, ripe pineapple, golden raisin) on a bed of layered sweetness (creamy vanilla, light honey, lightly toasted marshmallow, and a hint of coconut). Gently dry, delicately spicy, dried citrus finish. Light enough and with enough zing to enjoy before dinner, but it should stand up well enough after dinner too.
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 87
The going opinion amongst a lot of folks I talk to is that Glenrothes is a dead issue. The idea is that the quality of the bottlings declined while the prices on them went up. Maybe this will change a few peoples minds.
I agree, Red. I was getting the ’74 @ less than $100US just a few short years ago and now they are asking nearly that for a 12yo. And it’s really a shame because this would probably sell well @ $45-$50. I know the ’91 is still on the shelf around here @ $69. Nothing at all wrong with Glenrothes, they release some amazing stuff, just too many alternatives at a friendlier price.
Glenrothes used to be a favorite of mine, until quite suddenly all sherried whiskies seemed to be tainted with sulphur. (It was a G&M Cask Old Pulteney that set this off.) I have an ’85 and a “74 (purchased in ’06 for $95) in my inventory, and I’m afraid to open them. Is there any hope for me? And do I infer correctly that this ’94 is lighter on the sherry scale–refill casks, maybe?
Open that ’85. I’m not a sherry freak, and it’s a crackerjack.
This one is also not heavily sherried.
Will do. It’s one of the oldest whiskies (in terms of purchase date) in my inventory, overdue for opening. If I can’t stomach it, I’ll sample it out to friends.
Thanks for the review, John. I hold a soft spot in my heart for The Glenrothes. I’d been sipping the usual “Glens” in the 80s and 90s, but The Glenrothes 1979 (the first one) is what hooked me on single malts. The price on this one roughly equals Sonnalta PX so I’ll have to compare them side by side to see which one wins. Last year Astar beat out the 1991 in my book. Also eager to see how the 1994 and Alba Reserve compare side-by-side .
Glenrothes is just ok for me (1991 ok, 1985 good and select reserve horrible). I would like to try more but their prices aren’t very consumer friendly and so I usually pass on buying more.
G&M had a very fairly priced (130-180$) 30 yo 43%, under the MacPhail’s Collection label. You might still be able to find it around. That was terrific stuff.
Just bought a Glenrothes from the Clydesdale, 17 yo 59.9 % abv Single Cask heavy sherried. Almost black tea.
Cracking dram.
Don’t know if they are available in the US, but this is certainly one of the best Glenrothes I ever tasted, worth buying if you can.
… makes me dream of an OB at cask strength. Too much to ask for???
bought the 91′ this year for $49. I had to negotiate, though. glenrothes is getting overpriced.
…the first dram I ever nosed and tasted….I have a ’72 waiting for a special occasion
[...] Hansell reviews the new The Glenrothes 1994 vintage and finds it very bright and lively with a nice balance of [...]
[...] one vintage to the next. This 1998 vintage follows shortly after the 1994 vintage. (I reviewed it here in March.) And while the 1994 vintage was elegant and bright in personality, this 1998 is more [...]