The Glenrothes Select Reserve

Scoring Legend 5.0 - Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky. 4.5 - Amazing, will always try to keep a bottle of this in my collection (if feasible). 4.0 - Very Good, maybe only one minor nitpick about the whisky keeping it here. 3.5 - Good, quite enjoyable to drink. 3.0 - Solid, wouldn't go out of my way to get it. 2.5 - Meh, still drinkable. Under 2.5 - If you have a bottle of this, start cooking with it instead.

This eye catching bottle hails from its humble Speyside distillery in the town of Rothes. I love that they still maintain in-house cooperage and I admire their dedication to no added artificial whisky colourants.  The Glenrothes Select Reserve's nose has an even blend of apple, gentle smoke and clover honey. I can also smell subtle pear and lemon marmalade. No one note pops out, but the nose is very nicely balanced. As the dram continues to sit, the sweet jammy pear becomes more pronounced under a thin veil of smoke and creamy vanilla. This golden pour has a light and oily mouthfeel. The gentle peat from the nose is my first flavour along with plain biscuit, toasted almond and lime. Smoke and pepper intensify through the tasting and finish, like it's ascending to a climax. This is unique, since I'm more accustomed to "louder" smoke notes that diminish after their initial blast. The billows of smoke that grow through my tasting suddenly stop. It's as if a large gust of wind came along and blew it away. What remains is a long, lightly peated finish from its former flame that warms my heart. I can taste subtle sour and vanilla notes reminiscent of classic plain cheesecake. Because of its light sipping ease and unique, mischievous charm, this is one of those pours that would disappear too quickly. The described reversal of smoke feels like a coquettish 'wink and a smile' that piques my curiosity for the next sip. 8.25/10

Quite pleasant, noticeable hint of vanilla and caramel lingers after the initial burn. Good for the price.