Some random SMWS sample I still had lying around without having a clue what the distillery is. I like such surprises but for some reason my mind saves all the data after it’s had one dram of a certain distillery so by now I can name quite a few of their numbers.

The color on this one was quite luscious orangy brown. Very copper like which looked quite appealing.

Nose:
Very, very fruity sherry with loads of tropical fruits. Fresh, dried and tinned with syrup. Quite sherry like as well, but not overpoweringly so. I even find a slight hint of smoke, with some smoke and wood too. Juicy plums, peaches, figs, banana, apple, grapes and some mint and anise.

Taste:
A little sharper than I expected of the gentle nose, and slightly dry as well. It doesn’t power down on the fruity theme, though. Juicy again right after the initial dryness. Red chilis, crushed black pepper, wood, spices and boat loads of flavour.

Finish:
A long finish with the same fruits as on the nose, with loads of spiciness.

Unfortunately for Glenrothes, this continues the theme I usually have with them: The independents are better than the OBs. There will of course be exceptions but most of them fall in line with previous statement. Anyway, I absolutely love this dram and wouldn’t finding a few bottles of it here and there. Long gone though.

Glenrothes 1990, SMWS, 30.63 ‘Turkish coffee in a barbershop’, 55.8%