Glenrothes 1991?

[ScotchPalate]

This one just popped up at the liquor store the other day. Anyone try this one? Notes?

SP

[jimidrammer]

I bought the '91 back around Christmas, but have yet to open. I'll get to it soon and check back. A couple years older than the '92 and supposedly better integrated. We'll see...

[jimidrammer]

OK that didn't take long. I needed something to open tonight, you chose it for me. My notes:

Name Glenrothes 1991, 9-7-91 to 5-24-05, 43% abv

Region Speyside

Color Light amber

Nose Nutty, fruity, honey, sweet cream butter, light oakiness at the back, smoky hint

Palate Spicy bitterness at the front, then sweetens out

Body Firm, chalky

Finish Drying twinge of spice takes the lead, then grassy/bracken

Notes The fresh bottle is quite spirity, but I’m sure that will change in a week or two. Similarities to the ’92 and/or Select Reserve are there, but I believe there’s something extra. Not quite in the same league as a ’74, but not much else is. Worth the exploration for sure, I think, though I really need to find the ’84 or ’85 again. With a splash of water: the sweetness really moves to the foreground; taste is affected equally. Very nice transformation with the water added.

Quote Grunge era malt?

Score 87


Better than the '92 especially with water added this malt shines.

[Muskrat Portage]

This one just popped up at the liquor store the other day. Anyone try this one? Notes? SP

ScotchPalate:
I've acquired both the 1989 and the 1992 and prefer the '89. Haven't seen the 1991 to sample, wasn't aware that it had crossed the "pond".
If it compares favourably to the '89 I'd scoop it up.
Muskrat

[ScotchPalate]

jimidrammer,
Thanks for the review.

SP

[Deactivated Member]

the '91 ...... A couple years older than the '92 ...

Eh??

I quite liked the now extinct 92 though a few seemed not to rate it highly. The 91 is getting a reasonable review at the moment and I'll be looking forward to getting a bottle in due course.

[ScotchPalate]

A couple years older than the '92

Crieftan,
jimidrammer is correct. I believe that the 1992 was bottled in 03 and/or 04. The 1991 was bottled in 05.

[Yellowjacket]

jimidrammer,
Thank you very much for the review.

In your review you stated you "really need to find the '84 or '85 again." My local liquor store has a Glenrothes 1984 (1984/2004) for $116. In your opinion, is the 1984 worth this price? I've been thinking of buying it and it sounds like you might be able to provide some worthwhile input. Thanks!

[Deactivated Member]

From my own experiences, Glenrothes improves with age.
I usually recommend drinking the 17 y/o's and older.

MT

[jimidrammer]

I have yet to try the '84. I have seen an '84 bottled in '02, I believe, making it an 18yo at several stores @ $97US and will get around to it. The '74 is a 29yo, splendid bottle and I've bought it @ $93US and $109US, worth every penny, but getting hard to find. I've also seen a '79 that may be gone by now, a '72-32yo which I can't seem to pull the trigger on @ $199US. A new '85-'05 20yo was supposed to be released with the '91 and I haven't found that one yet.

The '92: May '92 to January '04 makes it a 11yo since it was bottled before May. The '91: September '91 to May '05 is a 13yo. There are lots more vintages and some distilled the same year but bottled later, so they are hard to keep up with, not to mention IB's. I will say a 1990-14yo Signatory I had was not good at all, but that may not be true of others in that run.

[Yellowjacket]

Malt-Teaser and jimidrammer:
Thank you for your replies. I've read about the '74 and how good it is, but I have not been able to find one (and probably could not afford one if I did!). The Spec's Liquor Store here in Houston has several Glenrothes that are over 20 years. In addition to the '84 OB talked about above, the following four are available:
OB 1972 (1972/2004) $238
Gordon & MacPhail 30 year (sorry, no years provided) $170
Duncan Taylor 35 year (1968) Cask #13486 $218
Clan Lonach(?) 35 year (1970) $158

Any of these sound appealing? Seriously, I don't know that I could "pull the trigger" on any of these at the listed prices. I am going to give great consideration to the '84, though.

[Wave]

I've also have yet to taste the '84 though I have a couple bottles of the '84 20yo (haven't opened yet) that I got for a steal at $62USD a bottle last Spring at a local liquor shop. The '74 29yo is excellent and I've still got a couple unopened bottles of it left from the 4 I originally bought several years ago under $90USD a bottle at Sam's in Chicago. I've heard about a '75 that's due out this year to the US, I'll definitely be keeping my eyes open for that one!


Cheers!

[heatmiser]

I have tried the 1984, 1991 and Reserve. Very disappointed with the entire line. The only one I liked was the 1984 and at $100 US per bottle there and MANY MANY other choices that are MUCH MUCH better. My recommendations are to skip the line and try one of the many other Speysides (ie. Craggenmore, Glenfarclas, Glennfiddich, Longmorn, Aberlour, etc)...

[jimidrammer]

I have tried the 1984, 1991 and Reserve. Very disappointed with the entire line. The only one I liked was the 1984 and at $100 US per bottle there and MANY MANY other choices that are MUCH MUCH better. My recommendations are to skip the line and try one of the many other Speysides (ie. Craggenmore, Glenfarclas, Glennfiddich, Longmorn, Aberlour, etc)...

I would agree that a younger Glenrothes would compare equally with a Cragganmore 12, Glenfiddich 15 & 18, a Longmorn 15, or Aberlour 10, 15, and that the Glenfarclas would surpass them all at 17, 21 and especially the 25 for the price range there is not much better out there. The '74 Glenrothes, Glenfarclas 25yo, and the older Balvenie's are all time favorites and take the Speyside style to a completely different level, IMHO.

[Admiral]

I don't know if I'm alone here, but I thought the '92 release to be the weakest Glenrothes I've ever tried. It was actually disappointing when compared to the very high quality releases from 1973, 1984, 1987, and 1989.

Cheers,
AD

[peergynt323]

Tried '92 at a bar. Very disappointed. I was a little suspicious of its relative price and availability (bad idea to list the bottling date).

The '91 (out of a mini) was a different story. Very avante-garde and surprisingly smokey.

[Deactivated Member]

You're in good company, Admiral--that seems to be the consensus. Unfortunately, our nice little secret of a distillery seems to have got out of the bag, and Glenrothes have been moved to get more stock into the marketplace--the Select Reserve is reputedly not so hot, either. One can only hope the '92 was an aberration. Happens to the best of them.

[peergynt323]

The Select Reserve is one of the better Speysiders I've had in that price range. I think it's smart for Glenrothes to give themselves the opportunity to "cheat" the way that other distillers do.

[Deactivated Member]

I don't find fault with the concept, pg, and I haven't tried the whisky, so I'm not in a position to judge--just going by my recollection of what others have said, and my memory may not be any too reliable at that!

[Whiskybembel]

Every Vintage is a different Taste. It is not a matter of age. We are not talking about 12, 15, 20 years. A Vintage is still a Vintage. Some people don't like the 1992, some people love it. It is just how it taste. Love it or leave it. The 1991 in my opinion is great. It has the Creamy caramel, Butter Cookies, plus the sweet fruits. One of the best starter for a Tasting.
For Tasting Notes about Glenrothes, you are welcome to visit my Webpage below. I am working on it, to translate everything in english this year, but the Original Tastingnotes from MJ, JM are in english.

[ScotchPalate]

Well, around here it's going for about $80 USD a bottle (that includes Tax)(750ML)! (I can pick up a bottle of HP 18 for a few bucks cheaper.) Is it worth it?

[Whiskybembel]

OKAY

Here in Europe the 1991 cost around 45 Euro. In your case I am going to know your decision. But the prizes in USA are made by Skyy, subdealer, tax etc..

[ScotchPalate]

I picked up the Glenrothes 1991, yesterday. I've only had one dram. So far, It was worth the price and I'm glad I got it. It has some sherried berry flavors with LIGHT hints of butterscotch (have to look for it though, some might say toffee) followed by a decent showing of malt. It's a very pleasant dram. Good flavor, not too heavy, good balance. A great addition to my collection. I look forward to enjoying this one, and I recommend giving it a shot should you have the opportunity.