Rosebank 21 Year Old - The Roses Edition #2 'Innocence'

Volume: 700ml / ABV: 51.6%

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially shortlisted by United Distillers as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was slated for launch in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993. Seemingly closed for good, many were surprised in 2017 when Ian Macleod Distillers announced that they had acquired the distillery and brand with a view to resurrecting it. After a long at times difficult restoration project, the first casks were filled at on 18th July 2023.

Tasting Note

Nose

Sweet cream, honeysuckle and spring meadow flowers lead. Apple blossom and creamy vanilla custard follow, with sliced apple and pear, and rich citrus peel notes: orange and lemon. Candied flower petals – violet and rose – develop, wafting delicately over a field of buttery malt.

Palate

The sweet cream from the nose returns, with spicy bodyguards: cinnamon and nutmeg to one side, white and black pepper on the other. Stewed apples roll in, with liquorice and anise touches. Sweet shop notes hide at the bottom: candy necklaces, apple chews and creamy milk chocolate. Floral notes develop, with delicate petals and sweet syrup tinged with a hint of leafy mint. Water softens the spice, but leaves the intensity of flavour. Buttery notes are amplified, and fruit and cream notes develop: strawberry- and orange-creme-filled chocolates.

Finish

A burst of buttermint fades to leave sweet floral touches and gentle green leaf notes.