Rosebank 10 Years Old 1991 Cask #1646 – 48 (Ian Macleod)

Bottled by Ian Macleod, this Rosebank matured to 10 year old, from 1991, drawn from cask 1646 - 48 and bottled at 43%. Only 1410 bottles were released. The Lowland Rosebank, built in 1840 on the canal at Camelon, near Falkirk, was brought to a halt in 1993. Diageo's Rare Malts sealed its cult status.

The spirit was triple distilled and worm tub cooled, the Rosebank way, for a light, ester rich spirit with unusual body. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the Lowland character to the fore. At this age the spirit is bright and floral, the citrus and grass fresh. Long, cool Lowland maturation lets the floral spirit take oak slowly over many years. History on the site runs back to the Stark brothers in 1798, before Rankine's 1840 distillery. The closed era stock is finite, and every bottle drawn is one fewer left. Rosebank stood on the Forth and Clyde Canal, which once carried its casks to market.

Bottled at 43%, it is rounded. Vanilla and a light cream from the barrel runs under citrus and a grassy freshness. It is refined and deep, the florals woven in. Marzipan and citrus see out a long finish. This is one of the great ghost whiskies of the Lowlands.