Rosebank Diageo Special Releases 2011 21 Years Old 1990

A distillery bottling of Rosebank, a 21 year old release, from 1990 and bottled at 53.8%. A release of 5886 bottles. Rosebank stood on the canal at Camelon, near Falkirk from 1840 until it 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 European oak cask added a dry, spiced edge to the delicate malt. By this age the grassy spirit rounds into honey, citrus and marzipan. Decades in oak build a waxy weight over the elegant Lowland distillate. Blenders prized the malt for its elegant, floral character and unusual weight. Closed in 1993, the site fell derelict and its copper stills were stolen in 2008. Ian Macleod rescued the distillery, the trademark and the last casks, reopening it in 2023.

At cask strength 53.8% it is full bodied. The European oak adds a dry, gentle spice, and vanilla and a light cream from the barrel, with lime, pear and a herbal note. The texture is soft and rounded, the florals lifted by honey. A softly floral finish lingers warm. This is prized stock from a distillery reborn only in 2023.