The Glenrothes Bourbon Cask Reserve

The bourbon cask lends to a slight sweet taste.

On sale at TW for $35 from 50. I have enjoyed bourbon barrel finished scotch before but was let down by this. Nose is canned pear, malt, vanilla and barrel. Its all very light though. Palate has some vanilla coconut creme, barley malt, a bit of pencil lead and charred wood. Sounds good right? well its a bit watered down and thin, flavors are surface only. Finish is mildly sour malt with some bitter tannins. There is a fading coconut thing which is kinda nice. Perhaps I got a bad bottle(mine is much lighter looking than pics ive seen online) Overall it does not work for me even at 35 bucks nevermind 50......69/100......still some single malt qualities to keep score out of the cellar

54

Light honey yellow color; ripe corn. Beautiful thick legs that stick to the inside of the glass. The nose is absolutely beautiful: pear, ripe green apple skins. Coconut and vanilla; honey, dried plums. Toasted cereal grains and hay. There is a burnt brown sugar that reminds me of browned butter. Creme brulee. Fragrant, flowery linens? Just a hint of paint thinner. They could make a candle out of this. The flavor is vanilla and creme. Coffee grounds and malt grain. Nutty almonds or marzipan? Pear, honey and apple. The back end has a sherry-like tannic quality. The finish is earthy herbs: brown autumn leaves; heather? A little ashy, a little metallic. I have read about candle-wax in whisky, but this may the first time I've ever experienced it. Nutty coffee grounds and mocha. The Glenrothes Bourbon Cask Reserve is a very soft and inviting Scotch, full of flavors and aromas that are perhaps even more suited to an aisle at a Yankee Candle than a Glencairn. It's got vanilla, coconut, pear and apple; then it's balanced by a nutty, earthy counterpoint. I was a little put off by the grenade bottle at first, but I'm thrilled that I pulled the pin.

VERY good beginner Scotch, but a bit simple and uninteresting. Very well balanced though.

I find the bourbon barrel stands out well in the common Scotch expression. Sweet, touch of corn, spices, orange finish. Bottle almost empty!🥲

A bit of a disappointment. After the stellar vintage reserve, this tastes thinner and significantly less complex. More or less a watered down Bourbon, the only thing to recommend it is an unusual mid body hit of coconut that comes from only the mellowest of Bourbons.

Really liking this one. The Bourbon barrel really comes out. This is a perfect transition Scotch to perhaps start appreciating Bourbon!