The Glenrothes 2001 Vintage is a single vintage Speyside single malt scotch from the Glenrothes Distillery in Rothes, established 1879, bottled by historic London wine and spirit merchants Berry Bros and Rudd during their long stewardship of the brand. Where most distilleries release whisky by age statement, Glenrothes under Berry Bros and Rudd followed the more traditional wine merchant approach of bottling by vintage, releasing single year distillations only when the master blender judged them ready, regardless of exact age. This 2001 Vintage was distilled in 2001 and bottled at the brand's house strength of 43% ABV after maturation in a combination of American oak and Spanish oak casks, drawing soft sherry sweetness alongside the classic Glenrothes vanilla and stone fruit character. Released in multiple batches between 2012 and 2017, this expression earned 94 points at the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge and is now a genuine collector's piece: Berry Bros and Rudd sold the Glenrothes brand to Edrington in 2017, and the new owners discontinued the vintage release format entirely in favor of an age stated core range. The BBR era vintage bottlings can no longer be replicated and are increasingly hard to source.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
The Glenrothes |
| Distillery |
The Glenrothes Distillery, Rothes, Speyside (est. 1879) |
| Bottler |
Berry Bros and Rudd (BBR era ownership) |
| Type |
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Vintage |
| Region |
Speyside, Scotland |
| Distilled |
2001 |
| Bottled |
2012-2017 (multiple batch releases) |
| Cask |
American Oak and Spanish Oak Casks |
| ABV |
43% |
| Proof |
86 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Scotland |
| Status |
Discontinued (BBR era vintage release format ended after Edrington acquisition) |
| Awards |
94 points, Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2017 |
Tasting Notes
Color: Bright golden amber.
Nose: Lemon meringue pie, sandalwood, ripe black cherries, oaky vanilla, leather, subtle peat, and gentle baking spice.
Palate: Creamy and complex, with oaky vanilla, cream topped with grated nutmeg, light peat, citrus peel, soft spices, and red berries layered over the signature Glenrothes orchard fruit core.
Finish: Long, sweet, and spicy, with lingering oaky vanilla and a soft drying spice fade.
FAQ
What's a "vintage" Scotch? Most Scotch is released with an age statement (12 Year, 18 Year, etc.) that reflects the youngest whisky in the bottle. A vintage Scotch, by contrast, is bottled from a single year of distillation, with the year displayed on the label rather than an age. The exact age varies by release date. Berry Bros and Rudd, with their wine merchant heritage, championed this vintage approach for Glenrothes during their ownership of the brand.
Why is this discontinued? Berry Bros and Rudd sold the Glenrothes brand to Edrington in late 2017. The new owners restructured the entire range around age statements (10, 12, 18, 25 Year) and discontinued the vintage release format that had defined the brand under BBR. The original BBR vintage bottlings cannot be replicated, and 2001 in particular was one of the more praised vintages in the series.
What makes Glenrothes special? Glenrothes has been producing Speyside single malt since 1879 and is highly sought after by master blenders as a "top dresser" for premium blends, including Cutty Sark and The Famous Grouse, where it contributes elegance, complexity, and orchard fruit character. Its own single malt bottlings are notable for delicate vanilla, citrus, and stone fruit profiles balanced by gentle sherry oak.
Where can I buy Glenrothes 2001 Vintage online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide. As a discontinued BBR era vintage, once this bottle is gone it cannot be replenished from the distillery.
