Glenrothes 22 Years Old 1997 Cask #7168 (Morrison and MacKay)

Càrn Mòr Black Gold is a premium tier within Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers' Celebration of the Cask range, reserved for casks selected for exceptional character or notable rarity. The Aberdeen based firm draws on Morrison family Scotch industry experience stretching back to the 1850s. This Glenrothes 22 Years Old, distilled in 1997 and bottled in 2019 from cask 7168 at 58.7%, runs to 590 bottles released into the German market.

Twenty two years in a single Oloroso cask sits in the rich middle window for sherry maturation moving toward long extractive territory. The cask's first fill activity is well developed and European oak tannin contribution has matured into structure rather than aggression. The residual Oloroso sherry residue has fully integrated through accumulated cask interaction, while lignin's breakdown delivers vanillin and syringaldehyde alongside hemicellulose's furfural chemistry. The cask's sotolon contributes the savoury walnut depth characteristic of well aged Oloroso.

On the nose, leathery depth sits with tobacco, toasted oak and an interesting new and old wood interplay signalling the cask's accumulated chemistry across its tenancy. The palate moves through fig, raisin and a savoury walnut depth, the 58.7% strength delivering the cask's accumulated chemistry without astringency. Cocoa nib bitterness emerges mid palate. The finish runs long and resinous, European oak holding the spirit's Speyside fruit in tight balance against the cask's accumulated oxidative chemistry.