Glenrothes Select Reserve Scotch Whisky is an 86-proof (43% ABV) Speyside single malt — a vatting of malt vintages from different years, matured in a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, new and used. Selected by Malt Master John Ramsay as the distillery’s “House Style” expression, it is built to capture the essential Glenrothes character — ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla, and spice — in a 750mL bottle. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: No age statement — a vatting of malt vintages from different years
- Casks: Ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, new and used — the distillery’s “House Style” vatting
- Producer: The Glenrothes Distillery, Rothes, Speyside (founded 1879) — slow distillation in tall copper pot stills, Ardcanny and Brauchhill spring water
The House Style of Rothes
Most Glenrothes single malt never leaves Scotland as single malt at all — the distillery’s production mostly goes into blends like The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark, with only about 2% bottled under its own name. Select Reserve is the expression that defines what that 2% tastes like: the vatting of vintages lets the malt master compose a consistent house character rather than chasing a single year’s quirks. It has the medals to back it up — Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2012, Best in Class at the World Whiskies Awards 2008, and a 24/25 from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. Shop the Glenrothes collection and browse more scotch whisky at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
The profile is classic Glenrothes: ripe orchard fruits and citrus up front, vanilla and soft oak from the bourbon casks, dried fruit and gentle spice from the sherry casks. The palate is round and medium-bodied, with the sherry influence adding depth without heaviness, and the finish is clean with lingering fruit and spice.
How to Enjoy
A textbook neat pour — this is the bottle to hand someone who wants to understand Speyside. A splash of water opens the citrus notes. It also works in a refined Rob Roy where the sherry-cask fruit plays well with sweet vermouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glenrothes Select Reserve an age-stated whisky?
No. It is a no-age-statement vatting of malt vintages from different years, selected to represent the distillery’s house style.
What is the ABV of Glenrothes Select Reserve?
86 proof (43% ABV), in a 750mL bottle — see the Metadata flag about conflicting retailer listings before applying.
Who owns Glenrothes?
The Glenrothes Distillery in Rothes, Speyside (founded 1879) is part of Edrington; the bulk of its spirit goes into major blends, with a small fraction bottled as single malt.
Grab Glenrothes Select Reserve online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — Speyside’s house style, ready to order.
