The Glenrothes Distillery, located in the Scottish region of Speyside, is a renowned single malt Scotch whisky distillery known for its high-quality whiskies and long tradition. The distillery is situated in the town of Rothes and was founded in 1878. Today, Glenrothes is part of the Edrington Group, which also owns other well-known brands such as The Macallan and Highland Park.
Glenrothes was founded by James Stuart & Co., a company that previously operated the Macallan Distillery. The first distillation took place on December 28, 1879. Over the years, the distillery has experienced several ownership changes and expansions but has remained committed to its tradition and pursuit of quality.
A unique feature of Glenrothes is its focus on maturation and the age of the whisky. Instead of using age statements on the bottles, the whiskies are named after the vintage year of distillation. This emphasizes the importance of maturation and allows consumers to appreciate the different characteristics of each vintage.
The distillery uses traditional copper stills, known for their impact on the taste and aroma of the whisky. Glenrothes relies on slow distillation to produce an exceptionally pure and complex spirit. The water used for distillation comes from the nearby Ardcanny spring and is valued for its purity.
The maturation of Glenrothes whisky takes place in carefully selected oak casks, including both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. These casks impart rich, fruity aromas and complex flavor notes to the whisky. The distillery's warehouses provide ideal conditions for the slow maturation of the whisky, leading to exceptional flavor development.
The Glenrothes range includes a wide array of single malt whiskies known for their versatility and quality. Core expressions include the Glenrothes Select Reserve, Glenrothes Vintage 2001, and Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve. Additionally, the distillery offers limited special editions and exclusive vintage whiskies, highly coveted by collectors and connoisseurs.
Glenrothes is strongly committed to sustainability and environmental friendliness. The distillery has launched various initiatives to minimize its environmental impact, including energy-saving programs and waste reduction efforts. Glenrothes also continuously invests in research and development to explore innovative production methods and new flavor profiles.
