Rosebank 12 Years Old TDA Unblended Single Malt (The Distillers Agency)

From The Distillers Agency comes this Rosebank, a 12 year old and bottled at 43%. Rosebank was opened in 1840 on the Forth and Clyde Canal at Falkirk and mothballed in 1993. The stills ran once more from 2023, but this whisky predates the revival.

It was put through three stills and worm tubs for body and finesse, to build the floral, grassy malt blenders prized. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the fruit. At this age the spirit is bright and floral, the citrus and grass fresh. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the honeyed, fruity core over decades. The first new make ran on the 5th of June 2023, almost thirty years to the day after closure. Water came from the Carron Valley, feeding a light, ester rich Lowland spirit. The 108 foot chimney remained a Falkirk landmark through the long silent decades. Its final vintages of the early 1990s are among the most sought after of all Lowland malts.

At 43% it is clean and elegant. Honeysuckle and lemon zest meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. Soft citrus and orchard fruit sit behind the sweetness. It closes long, floral and honeyed. This is a finite pour from the King of the Lowlands.