Whisky: Roseisle 12 Year 2023 Special Release

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 56.5%

Cask: First Fill Bourbon, Refill Bourbon

Age: 12 Years (Bottled 2023)

Nose: Light and fruity, citrusy and grassy; oranges and tangerines, pine, minerals, peppery dandelion and earth.

Palate: Medium-bodied, bright and vibrant, orange and lemonade, shortbread, grass, peppery dandelion, subtle earth, honey, and vanilla.

Finish: Medium to long with citrusy sangria and mellow dried grass.

Score: 7 (81)

Mental Image: Halftime Snacks

Narrative & Notes: Light and fruity with summery citrusy sangria and freshly mowed grass— or was it iced orange and tangerine slices at a youth soccer game? Perhaps somewhere in-between with a gentle, sweet citrus, fresh pine, zinc sun screen, and dandelions alongside mellow earth. Medium-bodied with a bright and vibrant fruitiness alongside green grass and a touch of earth. Orange slices and lemonade paired with tangerine shortbread cookies and juice boxes. Freshly mowed grass, clovers, and peppery dandelion developed toward the end with mellow hints of earth, honey, and vanilla bean.  The finish was medium to long with citrusy sangria and mellow dried grass.

Beautiful and summery. If you have consumed any of Diageo’s major blends in the last decade you have likely encountered at least a smidge of Roseisle.  However, this was the first single malt release from the distillery once called the “death star” due to its massive scale, the fourth largest in Scotland behind only Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, and Macallan, and ability to produce a range of different styles— from sulfurous to grassy to peaty.  Really anything that the blenders at Diageo need, especially at a time when demand for some single malts siphons beloved material from blenders.

Overall, a beautiful introduction to Roseisle and something that felt made for the summer heat or to be splashed on the rocks or in a high ball.  It was not the most complex beast, but it was well-balanced and enjoyable.