Glenrothes 18 Year Old Soleo Collection (70cl, 43%)

Glenrothes 18 Year Old is a Speyside single malt from the Soleo Collection, in a 70cl bottle at 43%. It is bottled without added colour. The whole maturation took place in sherry-seasoned oak casks, with a high share of first-fill casks. The Soleo name refers to the Andalusian practice of drying grapes in the sun for sherry. The collection arrived in 2018, when Glenrothes put age statements in place of its earlier vintage releases. The nose combines orange oil, vanilla pod, pear and almonds. Sweet pear and vanilla meet ginger and rosewater on the palate, and the finish stays sweet and spicy with a light touch of pepper.