When the media is invited for a whiskey tasting, there is a certain anticipation of what is to come as we are often curious about how this whiskey brand will introduce us to its products. We have five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. While the sense of taste is unquestioned for a tasting session, enjoying a glass of Scotch engages the remaining senses for a holistic experience. One of them is the launch of The Glenrothes 42 at 67 Pall Mall Singapore.
The 42 journey begins with a first experience, where guests walk through green leaves. This part of the mini tour explains The Glenrothes’ connection to nature in producing some of their signature expressions. Leaving the “greenery”, a small reception area awaits and a wall displaying The Glenrothes 18, 25, and 30 Years adorns the space. As for the welcome drink, it’s a cocktail made with the Age of 12 which the brand says will be discontinuing production.
For the next leg of the tour, guests are ushered into a room where spotlights are on The 42. A short CGI film is shown to introduce the rare spirit before a door is announced and the final destination is revealed. It was a room with tables interspersed, and lunch was next on the agenda for the day. The four-course meal is specially curated by the chef to be paired with four expressions to be tasted: Glenrothes 18 Years, 25 Years, 30 Years and 42 Years.
In the world of whiskey, there is no right or wrong when it comes to the age of whiskey expression. While there is a consensus that older whiskeys tend to be more complex due to the aging process, that is not the be-all and end-all. But for this special moment, The 42 Years Old appears as a star and not without reason. The spirit is an amalgamation of handpicked The Glenrothes Single Malt casks that have been aged for more than four decades on the distillery’s estate.
Under the guidance of expert Whiskey Brewer Laura Rampling, he selected only four casks that met his criteria. The liquid’s flavors have reached a “flavor peak, resulting in a liquid that reflects the changing colors of the Rothes landscape and shines through the whiskey’s vibrant flavor profile.
On the nose, a soothing floral scent envelops the senses with notes of sun-dried apricot, sweet almond, orange peel and coriander seed. As the golden liquid coats the mouth, the vanilla, honeycomb and fragrant orange oils impart a rich, brown sugar-like sweetness. As for the end result, The 42 is sweet and creamy with a hint of spiciness that doesn’t overpower the overall experience. Overall, The 42 has a myriad of colors waiting to be discovered and represents the many seasons of change a whiskey undergoes to produce its unique qualities.
Sharing more about The 42, Laura Rampling said: “This 42 year old whiskey epitomizes the character of The Glenrothes distillery. These four casks have carried our spirit on a ripening journey for more than four decades, fleshing out the subtle and fruitful original character of our new spirit without overpowering it. Part science, part alchemy, and a little magic, the result is a beautiful elegant whiskey that really allows The Glenrothes’ bright and vibrant characters to sing.
