Rosebank 15, Bottled for The Distillers Agency, Imported by Zenith for Italy, 1238/2400, 61% abv.

Seems to be a 1975 bottling, but the bartender thinks 1999. The 1980s bottling is when the abv went to 50%. Seems like Zenith was a main importer for Rosebank into Italy.

Nose: white grape juice, heavy and has a profile similar to other Japanese brands in the current marketplace.

Palate: well bodied, initial palate is like lotion, mid palate and back palate has some wood citrus, limes, vegetative, like a lesser typical lowland... or at least what I think is/was a typical lowland malt is/was.

Finish: light, good body, spicey, wood and grape juice, focuses more on delivery and diversity than quality of product.

Its not a bad whisky contrary to my notes, I have to say its not very enjoyable, focuses on wood-lime flavors, some undescribed Chinese flavors, and a general softness. What the hell did I just write? I could have been acutely inebriated at this point.

Grade: C+

Whiskyfun.com, Serge, sgp:451, 86 points
Malt maniacs, 86 points on 6 reviews
LA whiskey society, Chris, B+, 1980s

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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