Maturity or Marketing: what’s the deal with “vintage” Scotch?

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Same glen, different dram

Cox reports that The Glenrothes vintages have become somewhat popular amongst aficionados, and stocks of those whiskies tend to run dry in short order. So as not to deprive its fans (and to fish in a new revenue stream … yes, I’m an “objective” journalist), The Glenrothes has now introduced a whisky that maintains the true distillery “footprint” (citrus, vanilla, spice) yet doesn’t peg it to the “limitations” of the vintage offering. Did it succeed with this non-vintage-specific selection? I’d say so. Sláinte!

<TASTING NOTES>

The Glenrothes 1994 Vintage

Toffee, lemon rind, marzipan and hazelnuts on the nose with warm marmalade, vanilla and cocoa in the mouth. Sophisticated and complex; highbrow Highland.

The Glenrothes Select Reserve

Raisin, spice, toasted marshmallow, vanilla and crème caramel aromas with a younger — though slightly deeper and woodier — impression on the palate. It reflects the character of the above vintage, but with its own distinct character … in other words, exactly what it was designed to be.