Glenrothes 24 Years Old 1997 (Phil & Simon Thompson)

Phil and Simon Thompson are the brothers behind Dornoch Distillery, also operating Thompson Bros as a respected independent bottling label. Their releases reflect a curatorial approach drawn from working spirits trade and distilling experience. This Glenrothes 24 Years Old, distilled in 1997 and bottled in 2023 at 48.9%, was vatted from refill bourbon casks across 269 bottles released globally.

Twenty four years in refill bourbon casks produces a profile fundamentally led by distillery character. With the cask's first fill activity exhausted under a previous tenant, the wood contributes gently and incrementally rather than dominating, allowing Glenrothes' natural ester chemistry to lead the bottle. The natural reduction to 48.9% reflects long evaporation in higher humidity warehousing, alcohol giving way slowly to water. Vatting multiple casks at similar age smooths individual cask variation while preserving the soft refill bourbon signature.

The nose lifts hay barn warmth and dried grass with fresh apple, honey and a malt extract note that signals preserved cereal character. A cooked vegetable note threads underneath: cooked pea, parsnip, hinting at the spirit's deep age character. The palate runs honeyed and oily with cooked fruit and lemon curd, the 48.9% strength delivering the spirit's character with minimal cask interference. The finish is long, soft and oily, with the cask's diminished tannin signature giving the spirit clear room to express.