Glenrothes Ancestors’ Reserve 25yo

today I will have a closer look into this Whisky:

Glenrothes Ancestors’ Reserve 25yo

I got this sample from a bottle share in Germany.

What are my expectations? Well, considering the color, casks, age and ABV I expect this Whisky to be more on the soft side, but still complex. I really looking forward to try this one. But first give it some time in the glass to breath. In this case considering the age and the low ABV I will let it breath for a very long time. I had it covered for 2.5 hours and then uncovered for about 20 minutes.

Let’s see if it can surprise me and that hopefully in a positive way 🙂

Appearance:
Color: Dark copper. The streaks on the glass flow down relatively slow.

Nose: 90/100 points
Lots of rather bright fruits but also some blueberries, citrus fruits, old oak furniture, dark honey, leather, a bit earthy and some herbal notes.

Taste: 89/100 points
quite soft start. Then there are some sweet bright fruits and honey. The herbal notes show up in combination with the oak flavors. the earthy notes are here not to be found but for that some kind of slight fruit sourness. leather comes through. Becoming creamy.

Finish: 87/100 points
slightly sweet start with fruits inside an oak bowl wrapped in old leather. Also the fruit sourness shows up a little bit. Rather medium long lasting.

Conclusion:
the expectation regarding the lower ABV was fulfilled. This one has huge potential but unfortunately the power is missing. But the long time breathing definitely help it since I smelled during the waiting period from time by time. But it misses at least 10% ABV more to blow my mind. However it is a very nice Whisky and worth a try.

Overall I give this Whisky: 89/100 WhiskyYoda points