In the heart of pastoral Scotland, alongside the River Spey, lies an unassuming distillery with no visitor’s center and not even a road sign. It is home to The Glenrothes, a rare gem among single malt Scotch distilleries; one that speaks loudest with its liquid, rooted in a storied background, prized by those who care to look beyond the norm and the known – and who understand the rewards that can follow.
The Glenrothes was born of an uncommon generosity, and of a commitment to community that stand as living legacy today. Founder James Stuart knew his Speyside town of Rothes possessed every ingredient vital to superior whisky making: local coopers with unsurpassed knowledge of the wood that ages whisky, and a people as committed as he to making only the best – and then make it better, through meticulous production. An unexpected local benefactor, The Reverend William Sharp, believed a distillery was critical to sustain the Rothes community’s well-being, and in 1878, raised the capital that would make its founding a reality.
Ever since, The Glenrothes has been making whisky quietly, and without compromise. Its rich and rounded, award-winning single malt is crafted by a community of whisky makers in a hands-on, no-frills distillery; craftspeople who remain respectful of tradition, yet ever-curious about what could be.
From the mashing room to the stillhouse to Master Whisky Maker Laura Rampling, everyone with a hand in whisky making supports the values – or “Four Corners” – that have guided The Glenrothes from its very beginnings:
Water: The Glenrothes is rare among distilleries in Scotland to have its own source of water for production, with processing and spirit reduction located right on its estate.
Slow distillation: An unusually-slow distillation process eliminates more impurities and allows for the production of a fresher and fruitier spirit, which is more elegant overall.
Sherry seasoned casks: A craftman’s approach requires best-in-class sherry-seasoned casks (ten times the cost of most), first used by artisans near Jerez, Spain to ensure delicious flavor profiles crafted from European and American Oak. Every cask that arrives at The Glenrothes estate is then assessed and repaired at an in-house cooperage, using time-honored methods driven by the knowledge that to make the best whisky, only the best wood will do.
Natural color: The color in each and every dram of The Glenrothes is derived only from their own casks, never altered.
Every taste of The Glenrothes is a statement of its makers’ craft, born from an unwavering commitment to the best raw materials, patient distillation and the highest quality casks. The result, and reward, is a range of rich and rounded single malt whiskies, including a 12 Year Old, an 18 Year Old and a 25 Year Old.
While each expression of The Glenrothes may differ in years to maturity, they all share one DNA: all distinctly fresh and fruity, borne of the passion, curiosity and innovative spirt of craftspeople who respect tradition while venturing to Look Beyond.
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