Rosebank Distillery’s official founding was in 1840 by James Rankine, a local Falkirk wine merchant and tea blender. Situated on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal, the distillery thrived throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, earning a reputation for producing some of Scotland’s finest Lowland single malts. Rosebank distinguished itself through its traditional triple distillation process – a rarity in Scotch whisky production – which imparted a delicate, floral, and fruity character to its whisky, complemented by a thick palate texture thanks to its unique worm tub condensers.
After operating continuously for over 150 years, Rosebank closed in 1993 due to the prohibitive cost of upgrading its effluent treatment facilities and logistical challenges, despite the high regard for its whisky. The site remained dormant for three decades until Ian Macleod Distillers acquired the distillery and trademarks in 2017. Following an extensive restoration that faithfully replicated the original distillery’s layout and equipment, production resumed in 2023 and the distillery reopened to visitors in mid-2024. Obviously, the new spirit flowing from Rosebank stills is not whisky yet, so we’ll review a Rosebank 21-year-old ’Innocence’ bottled by Specialty Drinks (The Whisky Exchange).
Rosebank 21-year-old ‘Innocence’ Specialty Drinks (2017) Review
The second edition of Specialty Drinks’ ‘The Roses’ series of Rosebank bottlings features this 21-year-old bottled in 2017. Details about the casks remain scarce, except for mentions of ‘finest oak’ and ‘good wood’, which are typical and old style yet uninformative marketing phrases. This release likely combines several casks, resulting in 661 bottles filled at 51.6% ABV, without chill filtration or added colouring. A few bottles are still available at La Maison du Whisky in France or Distillia in Germany, priced around €3,000.
Colour:
Dark gold.
Nose:
Neat: The nose offers delicate floral notes, full of subtlety. Gentle hints of oak emerge, followed by a variety of fruits including apple, apricot, and rhubarb, accompanied by a slight herbal undertone.
With water: The addition of water transforms the apple notes into stewed apples, also enhancing the herbal character.
Palate:
Neat: The palate echoes the nose with prominent apple and herbal notes. It presents a peppery spice, complemented by a refreshing citrus tartness. The mouthfeel is notably creamy.
With water: Dilution intensifies the tartness, amplifying the citrus elements and introducing slightly bitter herbal nuances.
Finish:
The finish is creamy and satisfying, with lingering citrus notes and a hint of Jaffa cakes.
Comments:
I apologise if the notes seem somewhat lacking; I only had a 1 cl sample of this Rosebank to evaluate. However, even that small amount was sufficient to recognise it as an absolutely splendid whisky. It beautifully combines floral, citrusy, and herbal notes, all delivered with remarkable elegance. Stunning.
Rating: 9/10
Bottle picture courtesy of Whiskybase, as usual.