Rosebank 22 Year Old 1991 MacKillop’s Choice

MacKillop’s Choice is in independent bottler founded by Angus Dundee in 1996 with Lorne MacKillop who started his career as a Master of Wine in 1984. Next to single casks as 43% and 46% most of the releases are bottled at cask strength. This is one of those from a few years back from the lost Lowland distillery Rosebank. MacKillop bottled 8 casks of Rosebank. This was their seventh, bottled in 2013.

While I do not recognize Rosebank due to the influence of the sherry cask, it is a very pleasant nose. Apple blossoms, apricots and a truckload of honey make it especially sweet. The only reference to this Lowlander can be found in a mild floral note. A nice spiciness, albeit soft, makes it quite interesting. It is very fresh and lively, allowing it to hide its age. It seems much younger than its 22 years.

Nicely oily and silky soft on the palate. It takes a while before some spices appear (think nutmeg and cloves), but the fruit is there from the get go. Very succulent on candied, dark fruit and some Seville oranges. Hint of pineapple on the barbecue. Fine balance.

The finish is very nice. The spices fade very slowly, leaving the mouth warm for quite a while and the dark fruit and honey keep it sweet until the very end.

A grand malt, but a somewhat incognito Rosebank. I suspect a first fill sherry cask.

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