Rosebank 17 Years Old 1974 Cask #5061 – 63 (Signatory)

This Rosebank was from the independent bottler Signatory Vintage, a 17 year old from 1974, drawn from cask 5061 - 63 and bottled at 43%. Only 1200 bottles were released. Rosebank was founded in 1840 by James Rankine on the canal at Camelon, near Falkirk and brought to a halt in 1993. After closure the site fell derelict, and thieves even took the copper stills in 2008.

The spirit was triple distilled and worm tub cooled, the Rosebank way, for the refined Lowland style quite its own. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the florals lead. Mid age brings a fuller honey and a deeper tropical note to the florals. Long, cool Lowland maturation lets the floral spirit take oak slowly over many years. 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.

At an easy 43% it is gentle. Vanilla and a light cream from the barrel runs under gooseberry and fresh grass. A beeswax and a tropical fruit give it real depth. A long, honeyed finish carries a grassy note. This is a vanishing dram from Scotland's most mourned Lowland distillery.