The Glenrothes Unveils An Unrepeatable Treasure Of The Past With The Release Of Its First-Ever 40-Year Old Single Malt

Every single malt from The Glenrothes captures a moment in time.  For over 140 years, since the first spirit flowed off the stills, every bottle has defined its own part of the legacy and the story behind The Glenrothes Distillery in Rothes, Speyside.  But not every whisky is repeatable. 

October 2019 sees the release of The Glenrothes’ first-ever 40 year old single malt, a whisky that marks a moment in the history of The Glenrothes that can never be repeated.  Maturing in cask since December 1978, this rare and inspired liquid began life in copper stills that retired soon after; whilst the current still house continues to produce The Glenrothes’ exceptional spirit to the same exacting standards, this particular whisky will never exist again. 

Smooth and complex in character, The Glenrothes 40 Year Old has gently evolved through the lasting union of spirit and a combination of selected sherry-seasoned and ex-bourbon oak casks.  The resulting single malt is a beautifully deep ruby colour and has distinctive aromas of orange oil, peach, cedar wood and almond.   

On the palate, The Glenrothes 40 Year Old is exquisitely resinous and rich in sweetness, with notes of sultanas, cinnamon and nutmeg that balance elegantly with delicate tobacco and soft oak tannin.  

Commenting on the new release, Gordon Motion, master whisky maker at The Glenrothes, said: “Forty years ago The Glenrothes distillery was different in many ways, yet our whisky character has remained unchanged.  To be able to release some of the last remaining spirit from the original still feels like we’re celebrating the end of an era and is incredibly rewarding.  This whisky will never exist again and that’s what makes the release of our 40 year old so special and highlights the true rarity of this expression.” 

The finely-crafted 40 Year Old is the latest addition to the Soleo Collection from The Glenrothes which was launched in 2018.  An edit of six single malt whiskies, the collection is designed for the modern drinker, with each single malt celebrating a unique flavour profile, reflective of the influence of sherry seasoned oak casks and ageing between 10 and 40 years.  

The Glenrothes 40 Year Old is available from 1st October at Berry Bros & Rudd at an RRP of £2,900.  Only 594 bottles will ever be released, each individually numbered and presented in a beautifully crafted oak box.

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