The Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch whisky begins its journey at the sources of the Brauchhill and the Fairies Well. To this day The Glenrothes is one of the few distilleries in Scotland to have its own source of water for production, processing and spirit reduction, right on the estate. A natural river that divides the estate in two and reminds them every day, with the creation of every bottle of The Glenrothes, that they owe an important debt to nature.
On one side, is where the production takes place. Here, exclusively selected malt is screened and weighed before milling. Fresh spring water from the Estate is added to the grist to start the mashing process and wash.
Next, the new make spirit is carefully nurtured in tall copper stills at the distillery for longer than usual, helping to produce the lighter, fruitier spirit that forms the basis of the famous The Glenrothes house style.
This slower distillation eliminates more impurities, resulting in a more delicately flavoured spirit. The taller necks of their distinctive copper stills allow the alcohol to rise and mellow out further, providing the perfect base for this award-winning single malt.
On the other side of the river, the new make spirit is then transferred to the Filling Store and reduced by their own water source, ready to be filled to cask. The Glenrothes whisky then begins its slow maturation in sherry season oak casks in the nearby warehouses.
As one of the last distilleries in Scotland to maintain their own in-house cooperage, they take wood very seriously. That’s why the majority of The Glenrothes is matured in sherry seasoned oak casks. These are carefully produced to their exacting standards, in Jerez, Spain.
Their commitment to the importance of sherry seasoning persists, in order to ensure the delivery of the flavour profiles achieved through a careful balance of European and American Oak. They continue to source and repair the most sought-after sherry casks at our cooperage, driven by the knowledge that to make the best whisky, only the best wood will do.
When it comes to casks, honesty is everything, which is why The Glenrothes always goes from cask to glass with its natural colour intact. Not only does this demonstrate their commitment to transparency, it is also a testament to the whisky maker’s expertise. That’s why their colour is derived only from their own casks, never added as an afterthought. The Glenrothes whisky emerges from its casks with an authentic colour.
