Glenrothes

Established in 1878, the Glenrothes distillery in Speyside embarked on a tumultuous journey, beginning with financial difficulties faced by its initial investors, who eventually completed the project with the help of a loan from the United Free Presbyterian Church of Knockando. Despite this rocky start, Glenrothes thrived, and it played a crucial role in the formation of Highland Distillers when it amalgamated with Bunnahabhain in 1887.

Glenrothes' production process involves speedy mashing, shorter fermentation in a mix of steel and wood vessels, and long distillation in tall stills with boil bulbs, maximizing reflux and complexity. The whisky predominantly ages in ex-Sherry casks, both European and American oak, complemented by ex-Bourbon casks, resulting in a multifaceted single malt with nutty, fruity, and sweetly spicy notes.

The distillery became renowned for supplying top-quality blending material to brands like Cutty Sark and The Famous Grouse, thanks to its partnership with Robertson & Baxter. In 1987, Glenrothes' connection with Cutty Sark led to its acquisition by London wine merchants Berry Brothers & Rudd, who transformed the way the single malt was presented by releasing expressions as vintages rather than standard age statements. These vintage releases showcased the whisky's evolution during maturation.

In 2010, Berry Bros. and Rudd exchanged ownership of Cutty Sark for The Glenrothes brand, while the distillery remained under Edrington's ownership. In 2017, Edrington reacquired The Glenrothes brand from Berry Bros. in a strategic move to expand its presence in the international single malt market.