A Glenrothes Single Cask that will Stun Your Senses

Adelphi Distillery is a great independent bottler, started in 1993 by James Walker, who is the great grandson of Archibald Walker who owned the original Adelphi, which operated in Glasgow until 1902 (or 1907). Research on the older history has been frustrating, as there seems to be no definitive history timeline, but that doesn’t really change the basic plotline. Besides the pot stills, Adelphi also had a Coffey still and produced grain whisky as well as single malts. In 1902 or 1903 (it strangely seems like nobody is really sure), the distillery was sold to The Distillers Company (DCL, most of who’s surviving distilleries are part of Diageo now). By 1907 the pot stills ceased output of single malt whisky, and by 1932 the grain whisky production ceased as well. The warehouses were in use until the late 1960s, when the buildings were demolished (between 1968 and 1971). Glasgow’s Central Mosque stands on the site now.

Glasgow Central Mosque, former site of the Adelphi Distillery from 1825 to the early 1970s. Mosque was built in 1983.
Photo Credit: skyscrapercity.com

In 1993, the name was revived by James Walker, who subsequently sold the company to Keith Falconer and Donald Houston in 2004. By 2007, plans were underway to build a distillery, which was incidentally inaugurated in Ardnamurchan exactly a year ago.

It will be some time before we get to review any of the Ardnamurchan whisky, but this does not change what was the main line of business for the company for over two decades: independently bottling about 50 casks at cask strength every year. Clearly these guys know how to pick casks, and have put forth a series of young Glenrothes presented at “high octane”, as this cask came in at 67.3% ABV. I have only one word for this stunning sherry bomb – fabulous!

Photo Credit: masterofmalt.com

Adelphi Distillery Glenrothes 2007-2014, First Fill Sherry Hogshead #3527 for Whisky Import Nederland, Yield 339 Bottles (67.6% ABV, NCF, NC)

Appearance: Mahogany, slow legs falling as drops off a ring.

Nose: Cake frosting, spearmint, dried fruit (raisins, prunes and apricots), butterscotch, raspberries, fresh leaves, sweet dry sherry and treacle. Water takes it further into the sweet notes.

Palate: Concentrated sherry, thick and chewy with a surprising amount of oak for a 7 year old. Lots of spice with pepper and fresh cinnamon.

Finish: Long and mouth drying with a deep sweetness and lovely spice. This dram has a stunning finish.

Conclusion

WOW to Adelphi on the cask selection, and woe to the distillery that can make whisky this stunning but puts out the Select Reserve. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU GUYS????

Seriously, what’s up with that? I hope someone at Barry Bros & Rudd wakes up and smells the sherry!!!!

Assaf, you found a real nice one here!!