Rosebank 21 yo 1992 Directors Cut Douglas Laing #10146 vs Rosebank 22 yo 1991 Mackillops Choice #271

For a while now I’ve wondered why Rosebank never rose to the same level of desirability as Brora and Port Ellen. It could be because Rosebank’s later style is one of understatement and a refreshing citrus, while the deep brooding powerhouses Brora and Port Ellen just ‘pack in’ so much more. I do think there is a gentle charm to Rosebank nonetheless, and by the way older Rosebank is very different from this style of Rosebank.

Rosebank 21 yo 1992 Directors Cut Douglas Laing #10146 53.8%

 Nose: Clean pure authentic nose. Buttered loaves, warm malt. But also very citric, lemony sharp – juice, zest and pith, and dusted with icing sugar. Big white pepper heat as well, all that sitting on a dense oily cereal-y good core. Hints of bitter herbals here and there. Reminds me very much of the 21 year old special releases. Rosebank in it’s 90s iteration.

 Palate: Despite the somewhat delicate nose, it’s big and sharp with this citrus acidity that bubbles like a fizzy tonic on the tongue. Also fairly sweet, and hot – grated ginger, white pepper. Clean malt bins, and lovely honey-butter oiliness.  Juniper and pinecones.

 Finish: Long, bitter herbals there’s that juniper again, lemon pith, acidic afterburn.

Rosebank 22 yo 1991 Mackillops Choice #271 55.2%

 Nose: The cask was very active… Oak tannins, charcoal, burnt sugar and blackened toffee a little acrid even. Hot oven, sticky resins, golden brown pie crust. Got to get used to these woody notes, then the cereal and buttery oiliness shows up, and just some acidity too. Glazed confections, and toasted raisins. Then bungcloth and dirty rags. Very interesting.

 Palate: Oh no. Bitter acrid burnt notes, that sticky ashy smell of sugar burnt to carbon. Tannins..  lots of wood. Banana flambed with a flame thrower. Also thick leather, charred peanut shells, and wheelbarrows of thick dry woody spices. A serious volume of it. Black pepper.

 Finish: Long, dark and immensely drying. Overwhelming amounts of dark woody spices. Loads of tannins. Ouch. I am quite sure this is no sherry cask. Feels like an extreme ex-bourbon.