Last week we were lucky enough to be invited to the one night only, Glenrothes whisky honesty bar at TT liquor to launch the Soleo collection, a range of 6 single malt whiskies, all from 100% sherry-seasoned oak casks.
The Glenrothes have created the range of dedicated ‘age-statement’ whiskies to talk to the modern drinker without pretence or fanfare – something we at Cut The Cap can get down with.
The Soleo Collection ranges from 10 years old to 40 years old, each celebrating a unique and delectable flavour profile, encouraging both new and well-seasoned whisky lovers to experiment and explore.
The words honest and London are never usually found in the same sentence but on this occasion, honesty was the BEST policy.
The concept of the evening was simple, take a seat and try the Glenrothes Soleo collection as well as specially created Glenrothes cocktails and when you are done, you pay what you think it was worth.
A genius idea from Glenrothes that is refreshing to accept that everyone’s tastes are different and their interpretation of a good whisky is down to your personal experience, and not just the price tag that comes with it.
On arrival we were treated to a Soleo Sling welcome cocktail using the 10 year single malt mixed with lemon juice, sugar syrup, bitters and soda which offered a refreshing way to use whisky in a cocktail before we got cracking with the new range.
We then opted to start from the beginning and try the 10 year old. Priced at around £37 a bottle, this whisky is matured entirely in sherry-seasoned oak casks and offer aromas of Vanilla and shortbread with hints of lemon peel. This to us was a great sipping whisky which can be served neat, on the rocks or even in a cocktail. It has a sweet finish. reminiscent of rum which left a lovely after taste.
Next up was the The Glenrothes 12 year old, priced around £42. Similar with this whisky we found ti was a great sipping whisky and offered aromas of vanilla, melon and cinnamon. For me, the melon and cinnamon really came through but wasn’t too overpowering making it a smooth sipping experience.
We then moved onto the Whisky Maker’s cut (priced around £55) which was a higher ABV and you could really taste the difference. Much oakier with aromas of Orange peel.
Without wasting anytime we moved onto the 18 year old (priced around £100) which is matured only in sherry-seasoned oak casks, a high proportion first fill.
After some chatting to the right people, we were lucky enough to also try the 25 year old (say whaaaaaaaaaaa??). This is the big league with a price tag of around £375, it is Matured in a high proportion of first fill sherry-seasoned oak casks delivering aromas of salted caramel, mango and coriander seeds.
There was a lot of whisky to remember over the course of the evening but the whisky that stood out for us was in fact the 10 & 18 year as it felt like these offered some great versatility and a whisky I could see myself having at home drinking more than 1 glass of. While the other whiskys offered more complex tastings, there was something about the 10 and 12 year that stuck with me.
Of course the 25 year was a beautiful liquid and offered something truly special however it would be something that comes out on special occasions e.g. my sons wedding day (still not sure that is special enough… don’t tell him that)
The honesty bar policy really worked as it allows you to give an honest opinion on which whisky you like without the theatrics of the price tag that we are so used to.
The Glenrothes Soleo Collection is available from all specialist retailers, ranging from an £37.00 (10 YO) all the way up to £375.00 (25 YO).
What Is The Soleo Collection
All are matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks and bottled at 100% natural colour – a badge of honesty, true of all whiskies from The Glenrothes. The distinctive, rounded shape of the bottle emphasises the liquid inside, allowing a better appreciation of the natural colour of the whisky, with tasting notes on a handwritten label as a nod to the whisky makers’
Signature Serves:
The Soleo Sling
The peel garnish and bitters really bring out the citrus notes in this delicate whisky.
Ingredients:
• 60ml The Glenrothes 10YO Single Malt
• 15ml Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 15ml Simple sugar syrup
• Top up Soda Water
• 2 dashes Bitters
Method: Shake the whisky, lemon juice and sugar syrup with ice. Strain into a highball glass, filled with cubed ice. Top with soda water and garnish with lemon peel.
The Glenrothes Rob Roy
The luxurious, rich cherries in this cocktail elevate the sweet sherry notes in The Glenrothes’ ‘house style’ 12YO whisky.
Ingredients:
• 60ml The Glenrothes 12YO Single Malt
• 30ml Lustau Vermut Rojo
• 2 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters
• 5ml Maraschino cherry syrup
Method: Stir all ingredients with ice and then gently strain into a chilled martini glass.
To find out more visit theglenrothes.com