Whisky : Rosebank 14 Year (1991), Adelphi

Country/Region : Scotland/Lowland (Demolished)

ABV : 53.9%

Cask : Refill American Oak

Age : 14 Year (Distilled 1991, Bottled 2005)

Nose : Sugary, fruity, and floral.  Lime and Orange Otter pops melting in the summer heat.  The wife pointed to a fruity water note that reminded her of perfume.  Honey dew, honey suckle, green grass, and a slight chalky-minerality with syrupy notes of a well-stocked flower shop.

Palate :  Light body with rich notes of sugary fruits and florals.  Shave ice syrups; orange, honeydew, creamy sweetened condensed milk, and floral hibiscus.  Delicate with a slight chalkiness and minerality that carried through the entire dram.  On the back end were woody notes of stone fruit pits and floral orange blossom.

Finish :  Lingering floral sugars.

Score : 7

Mental Image : Road Bank Shave Ice Stand

Notes :  This was an absolutely delightful introduction to a distillery I will probably never get to try again.  I enjoyed the subtle floral-fruity notes on this along with the wonderful hints of chalk and minerals that reminded me of Arran.  This was quite subtle and that delicate quality was really the only thing holding it back.  If the dram were a bit punchier and just a tad heavier it would have been divine.  This had a great transition on the palate as mellow fruits and florals led into more intense notes of stone fruits and woody pits at the end.

Overall, an absolutely delightful dram with loads of depth, interesting summertime flavor notes, and unique floral elements.  The flavors popped in such a way that it reminded me strongly of a row of tropical shave ice (snow cone) flavors ready to be poured— including a nice ribbon of delightfully sweet and creamy condensed milk.