Glenrothes 25 Year Old 1988 Sansibar

Most Glenrothes spirit sleeps on sherry casks, but this independent bottling by the German Sansibar is a bourbon cask, a quarter of a century old and bottled at cask strength.

The nose is intense and ‘yellow’, if you know what I mean. A slice of pineapple, some yellow apples and yellow flowers. Elderflower too! Soms melon. Loads of vanille and camphor. But it also has a sour touch as if from moldy lemons. I can imagine this last bit makes you raise your eyebrows. Rightfully so.

It has a light body with a malty heart. The fruit is now mostly watermelon and oranges. The elderflower pops up again. Mildly spicy. Some soft pepper and liquorice.

The finish is fairly long, spicy and sweet, with a surprisingly salty element at the death. Where did that come from?

Lovely Glenrothes that takes you by surprise in the finish. The sour touch on the nose what a bit scary.

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