Glenrothes 1978 Restricted Release

I guess it’s more than fair to say that this is a golden oldie. Distilled when yours truly was just a 9 year old kid and by now more than 20 years in the bottle as well. So just a tad longer in the glass than it spent in wood. This Restricted Release is nowhere to be found nowadays, unless you are lucky enough to encounter it in auction. But then it will cost you. I was lucky enough to have received a sample from a good friend.

Oh, this is surprisingly fresh, actually. Lots of clear honey, heathery flowers, a truckload of banana, vanilla, chamomile tea and mandarin. Becomes quite playful and a bit candy-like after a few moments, while a hint of both butterscotch and chocolate make it somewhat creamy. Very nice!

It’s oily on the palate and immediately candy-like sweet. Haribo bears and fruit roll ups precede liquorice and oak, while the clear fruit of the nose now evolves towards the candied variety. A soft bitterness, as if from a grape pith, appears, but it remains balanced.

The finish is medium long, sweet and sour and fruity with a soft spiciness that fades gently, while it leaves the mouth dry at the same time.

Wow, I’m very happy to have tried this.

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