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87
Signatory (distilled at Rosebank), 14 year old, 1991 vintage, cask #4755, 43%, $60
Delicately floral (lavender, rose) and perfumed, with notes of chamomile, hay, soft vanilla and gentle malt. Creamy and soothing, with a gently dry finish. Lots of depth for a lighter weight whisky. A lovely aperitif. I feel Rosebank is freshest and best when it is young. With the distillery closing in 1993, now's the time to act, and this is one of the better bottlings I've tasted.
(1st Quarter 2007 Issue-Vol. 16#1)
86
Cadenhead's (distilled at Rosebank, 11 year old, 57.5%)
Gold color. Soft, delicate aroma of fruit gum drops, vanilla, and a touch of honey. Light in body, with a soft texture. Its flavors are like its aroma, nicely balanced, with a gentle finish.
Style: Lowland single malt scotch. Price: high $90s. Available nationwide (imported by Preiss Imports, 760/789-6010).
A very nice example of a Lowland malt-soft, gentle, easy to drink, but never dull.
(2nd Quarter 2002 Issue-Vol. 11#2)
85
Signatory (distilled at Rosebank), 12 year old, 1991 Vintage, 43%, $53
A gentle, pleasant dram. Quite floral, too. Soft, creamy vanilla foundation with a hint of marshmallow. Underlying notes of cut grass and linseed oil add texture and intrigue. Rosebank is a classic Lowlander and, given that the distillery closed in 1993, younger expressions will become more difficult to find (not to mention more expensive). Here's a good whisky at a fair price.
(4th Quarter 2005 Issue-Vol. 14#4)
84
Gordon & MacPhail (distilled at Rosebank, 1989 Vintage, 10 year old, 40%)
Straw gold color. A very aromatic whisky, with dry, delicate herbal, floral notes. Light and soft in body. Gentle on the palate-delicately sweet and fruity up front, then becoming dry with herbal, spice notes.
Style: Lowland single malt Scotch whisky. Price: approx. $50. Available at specialty retailers nationwide (imported by Classic Wine Imports, 617/469-5799).
This is a delicate whisky, ideally sipped in a sunny, warm spring afternoon in the park, after a picnic lunch (or any other time you're in the mood for a light, delicate, exciting whisky).
(2nd Quarter 2003 Issue-Vol. 12#2)
84
Murray McDavid (distilled at Rosebank, 1992, 10 year old, 46%)
Pale gold color. Aromatic, floral, herbal aromas (a veritable potpourri), with soft background vanilla malt notes and a hint of lemon. Light and soft in body. Soft, malty vanilla notes on the palate with interwoven notes of herbs, subtle dried fruit, and delicate wood resins. Gently dry finish.
Style: Lowland single malt Scotch whisky. Price: $150. Available nationwide (imported by Vin DiVino, 773/334-6700).
A very nice aperitif whisky. It is dry, soft, and gentle.
(3rd Quarter 2003 Issue-Vol. 12#3)
82
Signatory (distilled at Rosebank), 15 year old, 1990 vintage, Cask # 1509, 56.6%, $100
The distillery closed in 1993. Very fragrant, with a potpourri of dried spice, herbs, and (to a lesser degree) flowers on the nose and palate. The spices are accentuated by mint tea, fennel, clove, and faint vegetal notes. Dry, spicy finish. Not an elegant Rosebank, but rather, this is Rosebank with an attitude.
(2nd Quarter 2007 Issue-Vol. 16#2)
80
Gordon & MacPhail Single Cask #1535 (distilled at Rosebank) 1991 Vintage, 59.2% ABV, $65-80
A very traditional Rosebank-aged in a refill hogshead and bottled fairly young (12 years old). Rosebank is one of the better, yet lesser known Lowland single malts. Since the distillery was closed down in 1993, it will continue being unfamiliar to most, and finding young Rosebanks like this one will become increasingly more difficult. Here's one at cask strength. The whisky turns very cloudy with the addition of water due to lack of chill filtering, but the additional water brings out the whisky's subtle aromas and flavors-fresh cut grass, hay, delicate fruit, and a gentle malty sweetness. Ironically, I actually enjoyed some of the recent young G&M Rosebanks bottled at 40% ABV better than this one-their flavors were cleaner, brighter, and more refined. Still, this is a fair representation of the Lowland style.
(2nd Quarter 2004 Issue-Vol. 13#2)
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