Today’s review compares two independent bottlings from Glenrothes distillery: a 1996 vintage from Cadenhead’s Small Batch series and a 1993 bottling from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Both expressions showcase the distinctive character of this Speyside distillery through the lens of respected independent bottlers, offering different maturation periods and a cask selection that is not what Glenrothes is usually known for, so let’s take a deep look at the Glenrothes 1996 Cadenhead and 1993 SMWS.
Glenrothes Distillery
Glenrothes distillery sits in Rothes, Speyside. James Stuart & Co built it in 1878, but partners John Cruickshank, William Grant, and Robert Dick completed the project and launched production in December 1879. The first years brought challenges – a bank collapse nearly halted construction and disaster struck again over the decades with major fires in 1897 and 1922, and an explosion in 1903. Each time, the owners rebuilt and expanded the site.
By 1887, Glenrothes became part of Highland Distillers. It earned a key role in blends, like Cutty Sark and Famous Grouse. Growing demand from blenders drove capacity expansion through the 1960s and 1980s. In 1987, Berry Bros & Rudd acquired the distillery, using it to secure supply for their blends and, by 1993, promoted Glenrothes as a single malt with vintage releases.
The Edrington Group took full control in 2017. Today, Glenrothes operates ten stills and produces around 5.6 million litres of spirit a year. It also maintains its own cooperage on site. Glenrothes distillery’s story revolves around persistence, adaptation, and an enduring link to both blend and single malt Scotch whisky.
Glenrothes 1996 Cadenhead (2018) Review
This Glenrothes 1996 from Cadenhead’s single cask series matured for 21 years in a bourbon hogshead before bottling on 13 April 2018 at 51% ABV. The single cask yielded 330 bottles (bottle code 18/183) and was bottled exclusively for The Nectar in Belgium. This release is sold out so your only luck might be auction in order to find a bottle.
Colour:
Jonquille
Nose:
Neat: The nose opens with tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, and guava, balanced by European fruits like grapes, peach, and melon. The bourbon cask adds vanilla and forest honey without wood spice or bitterness. However, light wood varnish aromas develop, evolving into notes of sandalwood and cedar.
With water: Vanilla becomes more prominent than fruit. The nose softens and becomes creamier, revealing custard and hints of orange blossom water.
Palate:
Neat: The palate delivers intense flavours that exceed expectations for 51% ABV. Nougat appears first, followed by tart lemon, orange, grapefruit, and rhubarb. Wood influence grows stronger with varnished wood and spices, including a generous pinch of pepper, jalapeño chilli, and nutmeg. Some minerality also adds a bit more depth. The mouthfeel stays creamy and coating.
With water: Spices lead with a sharp but balanced bite. A medium bitterness briefly surfaces before citrus fruits return. The flavour profile remains consistent with neat tasting but shifts in order and magnitude.
Finish:
The finish offers lingering citrusy tartness paired with bitterness reminiscent of an IPA or light sour beer. It lasts for a medium length.
Comments:
This Glenrothes 1996 from Cadenheads offers a vibrant and lively experience, with punchy, well-defined flavours. It combines brightness with a satisfying depth, making it thoroughly enjoyable, even at this middle age, neither young nor really old.
Rating: 7.5/10
Glen Scotia 1993 SMWS 30.124 (2024) Review
This Glenrothes 1993 from SMWS, designated as cask 30,124 with the name ’Sunshine on the soul’ , matured for 31 years in a refill ex-bourbon hogshead before bottling in 2024 at 56.7% ABV. The single cask yielded 181 bottles as part of The Vaults Collection. This Glenrothes is still available at the SMWS UK (£425) and the SMWS EU (€546).
Colour:
Amber.
Nose:
Neat: The nose combines sweet and woody aromas. Vanilla and dusty chestnut bookshelves lead, with wood taking precedence over vanilla. Citrus notes appear, including lemon and orange, alongside milk chocolate and caramel. The nose offers moderate complexity and invites further exploration, but I expected a bit more from it with that age statement.
With water: The nose briefly quietens before revealing strawberry laces and apricots.
Palate:
Neat: The palate delivers intense flavours with a gentle alcohol bite. Toasted oak and vanilla confirm bourbon cask maturation. Citrus fruits – lemon, orange, and skin-on Granny Smith apples – follow, complemented by hazelnuts and almonds. Spices add punch, with pepper, jalapeño chilli, and nutmeg standing out. The mouthfeel is creamy but could have more weight.
With water: The palate gains a prickly brightness from enhanced citrus notes. Additional flavours include chocolate malt, leather, and Jaffa cakes.
Finish:
A soft chocolate bitterness lingers, bringing astringency that slightly dries the gums. Spices tickle the tongue’s tip, while walnuts, hazelnuts, and wood add an enduring layer of gentle bitterness.
Comments:
This Glenrothes delivers a distinguished and compelling character with remarkable depth. Although the nose reveals a more restrained profile than the 1996 Cadenhead, the palate impresses with rich complexity, suggesting a subtle sherry influence (even though there is no sherry linked to that whisky) that elevates the experience beyond initial expectations. The only downside lies in the steep price, which, much like official Glenrothes releases, remains on the higher side.