Whisky Discovery #229

The Glenrothes Robur Reserve (40% abv, OB)
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Circa £50.00 100cl

No.2 of our Sunday afternoons Glenrothes experience

The second dram of our Sunday afternoons Glenrothes 'vertical tasting'  was this travel retail exclusive. Glenrothes Robur Reserve is named after Quercus Robur, the official name for European or Spanish oak, and contains a greater proportion of first-fill Oloroso Spanish oak ex-sherry casks, which have a significant influence on the profile of the whisky.

So What Did We Think?

Kat Says: The Robur Reserve shares the same key characters as the Select Reserve, but for me, there were just a few differences: 

This time on the nose, the spice offering is just from cloves, and the stewed fruits in the Select Reserve have been replaced by the richness of plump dried dates and dried figs. The vanilla is only ghosting in the background, unlike the citrus which is more noticeable from the beginning where it has moved to the front of the main stage and before a drop of water is added.

Something that I didn't get from the Select Reserve is fudge. The Robur has a sweet creamy butter quality of fudge that acts as a canvas for the rest of the other aromas. 

Taste very similar to the Select Reserve but smoother, and just as pleasant, so nothing really new to add. I would only be repeating everything I have said in the previous posts. I'm sure you wouldn't want me to bore you with the same words, when you can just look back to the previous post!

Again I found the finish to be short compared with other whiskies I've tatsted. The Robur Reserve has got a slightly longer finish only by a sneeze, with a flash of a peppery kick making itself known. 

Dave Says: A few weeks back I decided I should start educating my palate and try some sherry for a change and have been enjoying a bottle of Viejo Oloroso Dulce on a Sunday lunchtime, I've also been trying other Sherries and Ports in order to experience the full flavours within to appreciate the effect these casks have on whisky.

The Glenrothes 'Robur Reserve' is much spicier than  the Select Reserve. The initial waft of spice on the nose gives way to dried fruits; dates and figs, soft flowery notes with vanilla in the background. There was a caramel toffee smell which reminded me of the Quality Street gold 'penny' toffees and also a hint of worn leather. 

Again this is very velvety and smooth on the palate. Both malty and fruity with rich stewed fruits, sweet sultanas and spicy pepper blasts, and the vanilla is in the background again. With water it becomes much sweeter and more citrus notes are evident.

The finish is a little longer than the Select Reserve, nice but by no means a long one. It is persistently spicy with a chili pepper heat although starts off sweet with toffee.

Really mellow and easy-going, but less sherry than I was expecting from first-fill casks.

If you would like to know more about the background of this whisky check out both The Glenrothes and the Berry Bros & Rudd websites. If you're on Twitter why not follow @TheGlenrothes and @berrybrosrudd

Many thanks to Berry Bros & Rudd for the tasting samples