Notes on The Casual Dram:24
Glenrothes’ History
1878 - The distillery is built by James Stuart & Co (the lease holder at The Macallan distillery) but opens one year later under William Grant and Co after James Stuart runs into financial problems.
1887 - The distillery merges with Islay Distillery Co (owner of Bunnahabhain) and Highland Distillers is formed.
1889 - Highland Distillers acquires Macallan, reuniting the two distilleries under common ownership for more than a century.
Fires in 1897, 1922, and 1962, plus a major 1903 explosion, repeatedly threatened the distillery, yet each rebuilding improved capacity and technology.
1982 - Discussions begin between Highland Distillers and Berry Bros. & Rudd to develop Glenrothes as a premium single malt rather than primarily a blending whisky.
1987 - Berry Bros. & Rudd acquire the marketing and distribution rights for The Glenrothes single malt Scotch whisky (inspired by the long association between Glenrothes and the Cutty Sark blend, which was owned by Berry Bros).
1994 - Glenrothes pioneers its distinctive Vintage Release concept with the Vintage 1979, bottling by year of distillation rather than age statement.
1999 - Edrington Group acquires Highland Distillers, bringing Glenrothes into its portfolio alongside Macallan and Highland Park.
2010 - Berry Bros. & Rudd and Edrington perform a brand swap: The Glenrothes brand going to BBR and the Cutty Sark brand going to Edrington.
2017 - Edrington buys back the Glenrothes brand and the new age statements are released in 2018.
Glenrothes 1995 30 Year Old Cask 6979 Signatory Symington’s Choice Signatory 54.6%
Cask - First fill oloroso sherry butt
Glenrothes 10 Year Old - Whisky Heroes Brave New Spirits 54.1%
Casks - First-fill amontillado sherry casks
Glenrothes 'Signatory' 100 Proof 10 years old 57.1%
Casks - 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts
Glenrothes 11 Year Old 2014 cask 7390A-H - Woodrow's of Edinburgh 61.6%
Casks - Refill hogsheads, EU and US Oak oloroso & PX bloodtubs (30 - 50 litres)
Mystery whisky
Hint - it’s not a Glenrothes.
