Rosebank 18 Years Old 1989 Closed Distilleries (Cadenhead’s)

Cadenhead's selected this Rosebank, an 18 year old Lowland malt, from 1989 and bottled at 54.2%. Only 294 bottles were released. Rosebank, founded in 1840 by James Rankine on the Forth and Clyde Canal at Falkirk, was mothballed in 1993. Its delicate spirit was revered by blenders.

It was put through three stills and worm tubs for body and finesse, giving a clean, fruity spirit with a worm tub weight. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding only a light honeyed sweetness. Around two decades the malt gains a waxy weight over its floral core. The clean, high collected spirit ages gracefully, keeping its floral lift. Laid down before 1993, this is spirit from a distillery silent for three decades. 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.

At a natural 54.2% it is full and expressive. Green apple and a floral lift sit alongside a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. A green apple and a herbal note lift it. A delicate, fruity finish lingers long. This is a revered triple distilled malt from a distillery silent for thirty years.