3 minute read
The Resurrection of Rosebank starts spirited
In recent years we have seen quite a few distilleries return to an active status. Most famously among them are obviously Rosebank, Port Ellen and Brora. A golden trio among whisky enthusiasts, not in the least because of their high-quality output. To me, Rosebank has always been the most dear, because this Lowland single malt was a whisky that I thoroughly got to know. Even though I did drink my fair share of Brora and Port Ellen, the most legendary of bottles were already rare when I started drinking and collecting whisky in the early beginnings of this century. But Rosebank closed roughly ten years later than Port Ellen and Brora, and therefor you could more easily find entry level bottlings from this distillery. It also meant that I drank Rosebank in its teen years. This was already harder to experience with those other two. When the collecting community finally caught up, and Rosebank became out of reach for my (regular) financial means, I stopped being the target audience for this whisky.
And now there is finally new spirit flowing from the stills in Falkirk. The distillery reopened and started production again after a 30 year hiatus. My heart skipped a beat when I saw that new make spirit was released. Cleverly done, it is bottled in 20 cl bottles, because let’s face it: nobody drinks full size bottles of new make for their enjoyment. This is educational stuff. So, let us take a look at this spirit (that only can be called whisky after ageing in a cask for 3 years).
Rosebank New Make Spirit Drink, bottled at 63,5 % abv
First things first: Triple distilled spirit that has not seen oak yet, diluted to industry standard 63,5 % abv blenders strength.
Upon Sipping: When putting the glass under the nose, one cannot escape the conclusion that all new make more or less smells the same. This Rosebank is no different, but it does seems even more enthusiastic on juicy fresh oranges and tangerines. Delicious alcoholic vapours coming from the glass, and obviously an abundance of soaked mash. The taste however has a lot to offer. I am surprised by the extreme sweetness of the character, almost candied, and tropical hints like pineapple juice and melted mango ice cream. Rather moreish! Only on the finish do we feel the hit of high alcohol strength again.
The bright, clear liquid attains a blue haze as soon as I drop in a splash of water. More malted barley to the front, but now there is also a hint of smoke to be picked up. The taste loses some of its sweetened charm, but the dry grain notes are delightful. At times, of course, the alcohol leaves a prickly sting, but that seems part of the deal with new make spirit.
Word to the Wise: Lots of character for a triple distilled spirit. I am quite sure that the use of wormtubs sets Rosebank aside from other triple distilling producers, making for a unique signature on this spirit. As far as new make spirit goes, the drinking experience of this one is above average. I once tasted Springbank straight from the still, and this Rosebank comes very close to that experience (taste wise). With the right amount of tinkering with water, this new make spirit does not limit itself to educational drinking. You can actually enjoy it.
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