The latest Glenrothes addition to its core collection – a 32 Year Old – signals a return to vintage releases in a big, bold way.
If you’ve taken a recent look at The Glenrothes core whisky range, you’d realise it looks vastly different. Gone is its Soleo Collection, a set of five single malts that ranged from a 10 Year Old to a 25 Year Old, as well as the non-age statement expression the Whisky Maker’s Cut, that was officially introduced just five years ago.
For a while the new collection comprised of an 18 Year Old, a 25 Year Old, and a 42 Year Old. They are just joined by a spanking new 32 Year Old that, according to the distillery, is a “testament to timeless artistry, inspired by the people, place, and craft of The Glenrothes distillery through generations”.
Which is marketing speak that doesn’t really say much.
But what is interesting to note is that the Glenrothes core range now starts at an 18 Year Old, a big change from the previous Soleo Collection with its 10 Year Old entry expression. It’s a clear swing towards older releases, shifting away from the more affordable and approachable Soleo Collection’s younger target demographic.
More importantly the pivot signals an intention towards the premium luxury whisky segment. The critics among us will, of course, argue the move is simply par for the course for brand owner Edrington Group, with its penchant for marketing to those living the life of Riley. After all, just look at sibling distilleries The Macallan, and increasingly, Highland Park.
Scepticism aside, the return to older age statements for The Glenrothes does offer keen whisky enthusiasts the opportunity to explore the Speyside distillery’s original house style with these rarer, more prized expressions. In fact, it harkens back to the Glenrothes whiskies of old, back when it was under the ownership of wine merchants Berry Bros & Rudd. The newly announced 32 Year Old in particular, which celebrates The Glenrothes distillery manager John Smith, who served for 32 years at the distillery from 1897 to 1929. Interestingly enough, some of the more popular single cask releases from The Glenrothes before also sit at the 32 year old mark.
Indeed, the newly released Glenrothes 32 Year Old – which has been aged in Spanish oak casks that’s been seasoned with sherry like so many of its Macallan cousins – is, according to its official tasting notes, a “taste of a bygone era” that offers a bouquet of “stewed plums and cherries just picked from the garden”, “homemade treacle toffee bubbling on the stove”, “Brazil nuts and orange peel on a polished oak table”, and “open jars of powdered cinnamon and Earl Grey tea leaves”. On the palate is dried figs, dark chocolate and almond brittle, along with candied orange peel as well as a sumptuous lingering spice of gingerbread. The finish? Luxurious, it says, and complex with velvety sweetness and depth.
But would the reimagined Glenrothes core collection – bolstered by the new 32 Year Old – jumpstart and entrench The Glenrothes into the luxury whisky league?
Only time will tell.
The Glenrothes new core collection is available from good premium whisky stores islandwide at a recommended retail price of S$268, S$895, and S$3,000 for the 18 Year Old, 25 Year Old, and 32 Year Old respectively. The 42 Year Old is available to private clients at S$12,488.
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