N: Initial hit of orange with a background of soft oaky malt that bleeds wonderfully to a jammy sherried fruitiness. There is a gentle touch of old leather and some oiliness. Maybe bitter cocoa and vanilla too. This is busy stuff for me, but its not confused, everything works together. P: A wave of oak drives brown sugar, dark fruits and dark chocolate across the palate. The second approach reveals vanilla, toffee, milk chocolate, and a hint of vanilla. Third time in and the peppery ginger prickle build a little. This feels luxuriant and velvety with a great mouth coating feel. F: Long. Ginger and pepper ultimately fade into more of a chilli burn for me which isn’t ideal. But before I get to the heat I find more chocolate, some drying oak and some mulled wine spiced orange peel. There is something of a juxtaposition here for me. The liquid seems simple and straight forward, but at the same time, lovely complexity and lots to discover. Almost like playing a first person shooter game with and invincibility cheat turned on. I found I could walk through this no problem and enjoy it fully with no effort needed. Is that the mark of a good whisky? I was very hesitant coming into this generous sample sent by the great @cascode My only experience with Glenrothes previously was the 12YO. In the 12YO I found an off-putting sulphurous nose that made me really struggle enjoy it. I didn’t find that here. This pour was crisp, clean, and refreshing. The extra kick of ABV points to a hair under 49 really help deliver some oomph and vibrancy. I’m reminded of the Aberlour A’bunadh which I recall (from my limited notes on here) as being a slightly more spiced (clove, cinnamon) peer of this Glenrothes. To be honest the Glenrothes is better and $30 cheaper to me. And even though the A’bunadh packs a walloping 62% the Glenrothes feels more accessible and easier to enjoy. (Pictured here with a piece of Serpentine (ex. forsterite) marble. This marble formed ~445–420 million years ago from the 510-470 Ma Durness Limestone after contact metamorphism from intrusive bodies of the Grampian or Scandian orogenies. This rock is from Ledmore Quarry in Lairg, Scotland. About 120 miles away from the Glenrothes distillery this is as close as I could get). Distiller whisky taste #95