Glenrothes 1997 W-F

Overall rating: 89.66/100
votes: 81

Category: Single Malt
Distillery: Glenrothes
Bottler: Whisky-Fässle (W-F)
Vintage: 1997
Bottled: 2018
Stated Age: 20 years old
Casktype: Sherry Butt
Strength: 48.2 % Vol.
Size: 700 ml
Added on: 27 Sep 2018 5:11 pm by WhiskyCasual

Average value

€ 161,17

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Whisky Reviews for Glenrothes 1997 W-F

19 users have left a review for this whisky and scored it an average of 89.66 points

hs305 scored this whisky 90 points
02 Nov 2018 11:30 pm
[November, 2018] Oops, I did it and bought a modern sherry cask release without checking it before in terms of the devil's p... (you know, what awfully smells of sulphur)...

...and hooray - this is clean sherry, thanks to the whisky gods (and Whisky-Fässle, of course)! It is a fine modern sherried dram but is it worth 150 Eurobucks... I doubt (nonetheless I know this is the price you have to pay for a good-quality sherry dram nowadays). To be honest, in my "drinkers-only" view I would not spent more than 100 Euro on such a bottle (knowing that no one will sell me a bottle for this price, unfortunately)...

Nose

89 89

The colour is very dark at mahogany and the nose offers a fine modern oloroso profile without any off-note and not the slightest hint of sulphur, hooray! The malt is somewhat buried underneath the massive sherry aromas what prevents this nose from a 90+ score but whoever prefers the sherry over the malty aromas will adore this one, for sure...

Taste

91 91

The taste is layered and nicely chewable on mainly sherry-induced flavours, again. After some chewing the malt shines through (a little bit) but the sherry takes no prisoners, finally. Nevertheless, these bold sherry flavours are impressive on stewed fruits, dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, leather and and and... For lovers of that genre a must buy! Forget about water as it turns the dram just bitter (what happens with 90 per cent of all heavily sherried whiskies)...

Finish

90 90

Both the initial mouthfeel and the finish get somewhat drying-astringent from the heavy tannins of the massive sherried wood (what is quite common to such drams). The finish is long (what else?) and adds more chocolatey flavours (both milk and dark). The bitter-drying moments grow stronger towards the end so this dram would have been better bottled two years earlier (this is criticism on a very high level)...
didi1893 scored this whisky 90 points
30 Sep 2018 8:46 pm
The color and viscosity of Glenroth alone promise a firework of sherry aromas. The nose surpasses my expectations with its incredible variety of aromas and is the absolute highlight for me because of its harmonious and varied nature. In terms of taste, the Glenrothes unfortunately flattens off a bit despite its powerful character. Although leather, dark berries, peach, sweetness and spices go to great lengths and keep coming to the fore, in my opinion the taste lacks a bit of volume and power. Perhaps this impression is due to the "only" 48.2% alcohol content, the alcohol is on the other hand, the entire time barely noticeable and harmoniously involved. The aftertaste is in spite of its spicy leather and sherry flavors slightly behind my expectations, maybe I expected a little too much even after this fantastic nose. Of course, the misery is at a high level because I really like this filling and makes the heart of every Dark Sherry lover beat faster. Again a great 1997 Glenrothes from the whisky barrel with a gorgeous color and nose. Tastes and I like it very much!

23/23/22/22 (90P)

Nose

Rusty brown and deep amber glow with a reddish glow from the Premium Snifter. On the glass wall long and oily "legs" relish their tracks back into the glass, alone visually promising the Glenrothes enjoyable moments. Dark, dried dates and raisins immediately mix with creamy caramel and subtle roasted aromas, already my salivation is massively stimulated. Old apricots and velvety vineyard peach merge with the abrasion of orange peel to an incredibly intense and wonderful "dark sherry aroma". Appearances of leather and sweet PX berries show up, ground almonds fall into creamy milk chocolate. Due to the sweet fruit flavors echoes of muff and mildew, dark toffee and a few drops of forest honey come into their own, the leather aroma becomes more intense and dominant. Crumbs of dried tobacco leaves exude their mild and sweet aroma, peaches and apricots zealously compete, cherries flash. The nose is extremely well balanced and balanced, the alcohol wonderfully integrated. I long for the first sip!

Taste

Powerful show wet leather and dark berries at the first sip, shortly thereafter rest harsh wood tones and slightly sour fruit flavors on the palate. After a few seconds, a subtle sharpness develops, which becomes more and more intense over time. Black pepper sticks between the tongue and the palate, subtly wooden sharpness is added. Dark walnuts combine with dried grapes and berries, a minimal herbal touch dissolves from dark caramel and old peaches. Sour cherries and blackcurrants combine with dark fruit flavors to create a powerful and tart fruity note. A pinch of white pepper sticks to the wet leather, dark chocolate melts in the mouth while a hint of freshly brewed espresso runs through the throat. Slowly a tasty spice note develops, meadow herbs and a touch of thyme join. Here and there are slightly musty and moldy elements, but really minimal.

Finish

Leather and dried berries dominate the aftertaste for a while. Slightly tart and spicy oak elements come to the fore, the spice and herbal notes of the taste regain their intensity in the aftermath, a pinch of pepper still sticks to the palate. Creamy walnuts and a hint of old roasted almonds rest on your tongue. Slowly, the flavors come off and leave a creamy mouthfeel. A few flakes of butter float on the tongue, slightly rancid walnuts and creamy milk chocolate spread an unfamiliar aroma in the mouth. Slowly the aftertaste loses its intensity and volume, the pleasant sharpness fades slowly, the dried fruit flavors retreat leisurely.
Noface83 scored this whisky 91 points
06 Nov 2018 7:34 pm
What a horny stuff this Glenrothes! The wood is quite heavy and you have to like it. Also, the low alcohol content is not appropriate for the drop but that is whining at a high level. Clear Buy recommendation.

Nose

94 94

What a "dark" nose. Beautiful spicy wood, wood varnish, old leather, black tea sweetened with brown sugar, sweet dates and raisins, Maggie spice, caramelised orange peel and a wafer-thin chocolate glaze. Behind all the dark notes is also some peach fruit and a pinch of musty cellar (but no sulfur as with some sister bottlings).
Great aroma - a true dream for dark sherry and wood fans!

Taste

90 90

Sweet and strong. Cola syrup, old leather, coffee with lots of sugar, orange peel, slightly burnt caramel, musty wood, surprisingly peppery, walnut, dark chocolate with chilli.
Again, great though not as deep as the nose.

Finish

88 88

Too bad - the weakest part of the experience but still very good. First pepper and wood then espresso and tobacco leaves and back next to the oak again a lot of sweetness and milk chocolate with raisins.
Unfortunately only medium and a little lack of volume - 2-3% more Alc. would have done well.
Kalendin scored this whisky 91 points
19 Jan 2019 1:40 pm
Nose

What a great, complex nose, spices, leather, gentlemen's rooms, dark berries, old rotten wood. In addition, a very light citrus note, reminiscent of dried orange slices with cinnamon, I'm blown away from the nose of this malts.
Virtually no sulfur perceptible. A hammer for all dark sherry fans. 92P

Taste

Directly again leather chair and strong wood flavors without any bitterness. The dark sweet berries bind the wood flavors wonderfully. The taste promises what the nose has already announced. A potpourri of various spices. In addition a wonderful musty note, which I love at this kind Sherry Malts. The alcohol is barely noticeable. A very slight tingle on the tongue reveals that it is close to the 50%. 91P

Finish

A slight pepper sharpness spreads, in addition to the intense, but pleasant wood flavors, leather is back. Dark chocolate beyond the 80%, the berries in the taste are now in the direction of overripe raisins. The finish lingers wonderfully throughout the entire oral cavity for a while and then retreats gradually and comfortably. Due to the lack of bitterness, one has the feeling that the finish is rather medium to long, but the aromas are wonderfully fine and last a very long time. 91P.
The_Independent scored this whisky 92 points
21 Nov 2018 12:51 am
A dark, intense sherry bomb that can compete with Glenfarcla's Family Casks and Glendronach Single Casks of the same age group.

Nose

93 93

Dark, intense sherry notes, sweet dried fruit - dried dates, rum raisins, grapes, orange peel, Christmas spices, earthy notes and a hint of forest soil, woody spiciness, strong coffee with caramel flavor. The alcohol is very well integrated. I can not find any notes of sulfur.

Taste

92 92

Intensive and voluminous. Dark, sweet sherry and forest honey, some pepper, bitter and dry with oak spice, strong espresso and leather.

Finish

90 90

The medium-long to long finish is characterized by bitter wood and espresso notes, the sweetness is only slightly noticeable as a spicy forest honey.
Steven79 scored this whisky 91 points
13 Jul 2019 10:47 pm
Nose

90 90

Taste

91 91

Finish

91 91
GJR scored this whisky 90 points
12 Jul 2019 9:51 am
Nose

91 91

Taste

90 90

Finish

88 88
ovanpuyvelde scored this whisky 89 points
04 Jun 2019 9:31 pm
Nose

88 88

Taste

90 90

Finish

89 89
EnjoyLife89 scored this whisky 100 points
12 May 2019 12:54 pm
Nose

Sherry; Caramel; Syrup; all 3 components very intense; Brown sugar; citrus; Cocoa; Fruit; Tidy barrel (but not woody)
The smell is really great

Taste

Sherry; so cute; really impressive cinnamon seasoning; beautiful, round oak; very dark chocolate, but not yet bitter; totally mild and a light citrus note; a trace of coffee; now citrus comes through stronger again

Finish

very spicy; becoming slightly bitter; again full broadside sherry; strong cinnamon and finally nice cocoa again
88plus Bus scored this whisky 87 points
24 Mar 2019 8:12 pm

Nose: Dark fruits, sweet, spicy, complex, a lot of sherry, maybe a bit citrus, chocolate

Taste: Lots of wood, oak, leathery, dark fruits, pleasantly mild - does not look like almost 50%. Somehow some chocolate again. But is there anything left here? to the nose.

Finish: Intense woody notes, again leather, slightly hot, medium long ...

Overall, an interesting experience, for me it is round and balanced, quite delicious, I liked the nose the best.

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