The Glenrothes Bourbon Cask Reserve

The nose is tropical and bright with banana, coconut, and toffee. More citrus meets a caramel and peanut brittle sweetness.

Nice smooth finish

A very long time ago, a bottle of Glenrothes Bourbon Cask Reserve was one of the very first "serious" whiskey bottles I ever bought for a friend. At the time, it was because I thought the bottle looked cool and different. What a blind stroke of luck that was, because this whiskey kick started my affinity for bourbon cask single malts. Not considered a complex whiskey by most, Glenrothes bourbon cask reserve is sweet and gentle. It features a flavor profile not typically found in most bourbon cask whiskies and is well worth a try. The nose features aromas of vanilla but I do catch a hint of red fruits there, perhaps some berries. Odd, for a whiskey aged exclusively in ex-bourbon casks. Almost smells a bit tart. That slightly tart, fruitiness extends to the taste which seems oddly red fruit forward for Bourbon Cask, but there's a little bit of sweet spice in there like cinnamon. The finish is dry and almost a bit waxy on the tongue and just slightly tannic. This is a bright, happy whiskey. It isn't terribly complex but its a good drink and honestly, a bit of a bargain.

A bit hot and young. Vanilla and coconut. Orange and caramel. Thin. There's a bitterness that keeps cutting through everything. The bourbon is somewhat there with the vanilla and caramel but I think the mix of young age and cask led to a bitterness, especially towards the end. Overall, not worth another pour.

Pretty standard with smoke and lots of booze. Easy but hard if you see.