The Glenrothes 1997 20 Years Single Malt Whisky

Whiskyspace Notes 2348

Jul 6, 2026, 10:37:34

Took a sip and immediately hit with this menthol kick, like a minty blast, followed by rich cocoa and a proper dryness. There's a sweet white wine and honey vibe underneath, but then the pepper comes in big time – peppery and that peppered orange liqueur twist. Saltiness lingers on the edges, mixing with whiffs of stewed strawberries and earthy smells. The finish is long, very dry, with tobacco and coffee notes tucked in. Love the mossy, earthier background – reminds me of a damp forest floor. Sweet(ish) and amber tones weave through, like a civilised version of something wild. PX adds this syrupy depth, almost mead-like, but it's kept in check. Proper complex, but in a way that just works. 🥃

Whiskyspace Notes 2239

Jul 3, 2026, 11:07:13

First sip brings a whiff of stewed strawberries, then a mellow cocoa note that feels almost like a civilised version of a dessert. There’s a quiet coffee undertone, an earthier background that reminds me of damp moss after rain, and a touch of honeyed mead sweetness. It’s rather sweet but finishes dry, with a rich, almost sweet white wine character, a whisper of gentian eau-de-vie, and a peppery kick that lifts the orange liqueur vibe. Earthy smells linger, and that PX influence gives it a very dry, almost peppery snap. 🥃

Whiskyspace Notes 2212

Jul 2, 2026, 16:54:52

Took a sip and immediately hit with this deep amber glow, like toasted oak and old leather. The nose is all earthier background notes—wet soil after rain, maybe a hint of tobacco and dark coffee lingering. First taste? Wow, peppery up big time, but not harsh. There's this peppered orange liqueur thing going on, sweet(ish) and zesty, mixed with whiffs of stewed strawberries that make me think of a summer hedgerow. The malt's very good—rich and full-bodied, almost like honeycomb soaked in cocoa. It’s dry, but not bone-dry; more like a sweet white wine drying out on the tongue. Finish? Long and smoky, with a menthol kick that cools the throat. Reminds me of sitting by a fire with a book, no rush, just... civilised.

Whiskyspace Notes 2093

Jun 27, 2026, 01:28:21

Just had a dram that’s a real mix of things. The nose hits you first with these whiffs of stewed strawberries – takes me back to summer puddings, but then there’s something more earthy lurking, like damp moss after rain. The palate’s got this PX sweetness, but it’s rather sweet in a way that doesn’t cloy, balanced with a peppery kick from orange liqueur. Dry as anything, though, and long-lasting – the kind of dry that makes you want another sip. There’s cocoa and coffee in there too, like a rich dessert, but the gentian eau-de-vie adds a herbal sharpness, almost medicinal. Saltiness pops up oddly, maybe from the mead or the earthier background? Menthol sneaks in at the end, cooling the throat. It’s rounder than I expected, not sharp, more of a civilised version of something wild. Strange but brilliant – like a walk through an orchard that ends in a smoky cellar. 😊

Whiskyspace Notes 2038

Jun 25, 2026, 20:57:58

Right, had a proper go at this one tonight. Lovely amber colour in the glass, really catches the light. Nose-wise, it's sweetish at first, then these whiffs of stewed strawberries come through — like someone's been making jam in the next room. There's cocoa and coffee underneath, quite rich, and a bit of mossy earthiness that grounds it all nicely. Feels like a civilised version of something wilder. The palate's rounder than I expected. Very good malt, that's for sure. There's a bit of menthol and it does go rather dry in the end — very dry actually. Some PX sweetness trying to fight through, but the earthier background wins out. Hints of gentian eau-de-vie give it a herbal kick. Finish is long, genuinely long. Keeps going with that cocoa and a touch of tobacco leaf. Rich but never heavy. Proper winter warmer this one 🥃