Berry Bros relaunches Glenrothes Vintage 1995

by Michael J Ritchie

Berry Bros & Rudd has relaunched The Glenrothes Vintage 1995, which was the first vintage matured specifically to bottle as The Glenrothes.

The original Vintage 1995, laid in casks using a combination of first-fill American oak seasoned with Sherry and refill casks, was released in 2011. However, the Speyside distillery is able to release this latest edition since a number of casks originally destined for the previous vintage were deemed "not ready" at the time. The newest release of Vintage 1995, which is 21-years-old, has been exclusively matured in 100% first-fill American oak casks, seasoned with dry oloroso Sherry from Jerez de la Frontera, resulting in "complex" flavours and a "satisfying taste with light fruity and vanilla spiciness wrapped in a honeyed sweetness". The finish is said to be sweet with hints of butter icing. Ronnie Cox, brand heritage director for The Glenrothes, said: "We have another example of how casks, not quite good enough some years before, have achieved unanticipated greatness with the combination of additional time and cask selection." "The Vintage 1995 American Oak is another cracker for the back of my cabinet to be revisited with really good friends." The Glenrothes Vintage 1995 American Oak can be purchased from Berry Bros & Rudd at £100 (US$123). Last month, The Glenrothes launched a second edition of its Vintage 1988, following the success of the first release in 2009.