Rosebank SMWS 25.59

This review is for the SMWS 25.59 Boxing gloves and rapier thrusts from the silent Rosebank distillery. Distilled back in 1991, this 20yo expression was matured in a refill bourbon cask.

Nose: first impression: tropical notes; pineapple and coconut. The second impression is entirely different: fresh on the nose. Notes of green apples and raisins with a touch of cinnamon and hint of citrus. (with water added: lychee scented flavours appear)

Mouth: with a rich body and high sugary notes of cassonade and ripe durondeau pears on the palate. Followed by refined notes of smooth and sticky marzipan, a touch of coconut flakes, and a whiff of oak. (with water added: some banana flavours blossom, and overall the mouth becomes much more zesty)

Finish: long and satisfying, drying and dusty (it tastes old),soft fruity notes with a touch of lemon peel

Another winner: solid and rich, not too complex but beautiful in its simplicity. It does everything right: elegant nose, graceful on the palate and mature in the finish. The highest rated Lowlander by my standards, it's demise was a true loss for the industry. Now I've got only one Lowland distillery left to try: Ladyburn, won't be easy to track down an affordable sample.

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