Rosebank marks reopening with oldest whisky to date

Jun 7, 2024by Lauren Bowes

Following a 30-year closure, Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk, Scotland, has opened its doors today (7 June) and released a 33-year-old single malt.

Ian Macleod Distillers secured an £80 million (US$105m) refinancing package to support the revival of the closed Lowland whisky distillery in 2017. However, the full investment behind the distillery’s reopening has not been disclosed. The newly restored site features modern updates with old features retained from its original run. The distillery’s first visitor experience has also opened, offering tours: Rosebank Reawakening, Rosebank Rekindled and Rosebank Revered. Stuart Hendry, brand homes director at Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “This is a huge moment for the people of Falkirk and the global whisky community. It has been an absolute pleasure watching Rosebank reawaken, with its original, unique distillation methods now sitting at the heart of inspiring new buildings that respect the original setting. “The sense of pride that the people of Falkirk have in Rosebank is very much felt by all of us at Ian Macleod Distillers and to be custodians of such an iconic distillery is a dream come true. “Opening the doors today to visitors marks another historic chapter in the incredible story of Rosebank and we are excited to welcome whisky lovers from around the world into this incredible cathedral of distillation.” To mark the reopening, Rosebank has released its first distillery exclusive and its oldest expression to date, a 33-year-old single malt. Rosebank Vintage 1989 is taken from the oldest year of the distillery’s stock and bottled at 47.5% ABV. Only 650 bottles are available directly from the distillery, priced at £3,200 (US$4,091). Distillery manager Malcolm Rennie will be signing bottles after purchase throughout the opening day. On the nose, the whisky offers ‘tropical fruits, vanilla, aged oak, white grape, melon, upside-down cake, custard, maple syrup and hints of liquorice’. On the palate, it provides flavours of ‘bright lemon, peach, sweet menthol, gentle coriander and pepper spice’. Blender Emma Oakes said: “Such a grand occasion calls for an exceptional whisky, and our Rosebank Vintage 1989 is just that. “We have had the unique opportunity to assess each of the rare Rosebank casks that have survived since the distillery’s closure in 1993. It was clear from the start that our 1989 casks, the oldest in our archive, would be perfect to create this incredibly special dram to toast to the revival of such a well-loved distillery.”