Scotland, Speyside. Distillery operational. Owner: Edrington Group

Despite a pedigree any distillery would be proud of, Glenrothes has maintained its exclusive and rare character. Remaining for over a century in the fold of the Highland Distillers company (Edrington Group), then the owner of Macallan, Bunnahabhain, Highland Park and Tamdhu, Glenrothes made a name among malt enthusiasts for the excellence of its ex-sherry casks, illustrated by the 12 Year Old released in the 80s and 90s. Although, over the years, the Glenrothes distillery and brand have passed from owner to owner (Pernod Ricard, Berry Brothers & Rudd), it has nonetheless maintained a special place in the hearts of connoisseurs, as is shown by the continual success of its 1972, 1973 and 1979 vintages, despite the majority of its production continuing to be absorbed by the blends Cutty Sark and Famous Grouse.

A Glenrothes single cask (#7017) distilled in 1988 and bottled by John McDougall for the Whisky Life series after 14 years’’ maturation in a bourbon cask. John McDougall was a key figure in the whisky industry, working for almost 20 years at distilleries such as Springbank, Laphroaig and Balvenie. In 2002, he launched a series of single malts, often bottled from single casks, under the name John McDougall’’s Whisky Life Series. A limited edition of 156 bottles.