Rosebank: 31 Year Old Lowland single malt from original Falkirk distillery casks on sale for £1800

Rosebank has launched a rare 31 Year Old bottling drawn from casks that were salvaged before the Falkirk distillery’s untimely closure in 1993.

Despite spending over three decades in casks, the distillery’s new owners, Ian Macleod Distillers, say the Lowland single malt retains “a bright and zesty nose, with hints of lime and lemongrass”.

Priced at an eye-watering £1800, the whisky is available via the Rosebank website from today and through specialist retailers.

The product will be distributed to global markets over the coming weeks.

Malcolm Rennie, Rosebank Distillery manager, said: “This is the first Rosebank release during my tenure as distillery manager and I’m under no illusions as to the importance of this launch. The spirit was distilled before the distillery closed its doors and has matured in casks ever since, waiting to be awoken.

“It fills me with great pride to know that the 31 Year Old will be the last ‘old Rosebank’ release before the distillery is reopened to the public. The revival of this sleeping giant is a huge moment for the whisky community, but most importantly for the people of Falkirk who have patiently awaited its return for three decades.”

Ian Macleod Distillers acquired the site on the banks of the Forth & Clyde Canal in 2017 and unveiled ambitious plans for the distillery and a visitor centre.

In March this year, three copper stills, built to the exact dimensions of the stills from the 1990s , were carefully lifted into the air in two parts by a crane before being placed through the roof to their spot in the glass-fronted distillation room looking on to the waterway.

Work on the distillery, which is only a few miles from the iconic Falkirk Wheel in one direction and the Kelpies in the other, has been delayed by the pandemic and its owners now hope to have it operational by early 2023.

To celebrate the brand’s new launch, and ahead of its official release, Rosebank hosted a first sip tasting of the coveted dram.

Invited to the tasting in this magical setting were four leading whisky commentators: Becky Paskin, Brad Japhe, Moa Nilsson, and Thijs Klaverstijn.

They all were highly complimentary of the 31 Year Old. After sampling, Becky Paskin said: “The first taste was mind blowing. It was a rush of exotic fruits, with a subtle hint of cask wood and spice. A juxtaposition of styles that makes Rosebank truly unique.”

Brad Japhe added: “There’s an evolution that happens as it sits in front of you – toasted biscuits, brioche, cotton candy, and grapefruit zest all developed while the dram was in the glass.”

And Thijs Klaverstijn noted: “You get depth, richness and lingering spice from the cask, then there’s a tropical grilled pineapple influence – it’s just perfect.”

Speaking of the dram’s eye-catching colour, Moa Nilsson said: “Golden amber mixing with a light straw – the whisky looks so vibrant, alive and inviting.”