Scotland, Speyside. Distillery operational. Owner: Edrington Group

Despite a pedigree any distillery would be proud of, Glenrothes has maintained its exclusive and rare character. Remaining for over a century in the fold of the Highland Distillers company (Edrington Group), then the owner of Macallan, Bunnahabhain, Highland Park and Tamdhu, Glenrothes made a name among malt enthusiasts for the excellence of its ex-sherry casks, illustrated by the 12 Year Old released in the 80s and 90s. Although, over the years, the Glenrothes distillery and brand have passed from owner to owner (Pernod Ricard, Berry Brothers & Rudd), it has nonetheless maintained a special place in the hearts of connoisseurs, as is shown by the continual success of its 1972, 1973 and 1979 vintages, despite the majority of its production continuing to be absorbed by the blends Cutty Sark and Famous Grouse.

A Glenrothes 9 year old distilled in 2004 and bottled in 2014 by Douglas McGibbon for the Provenance collection. Douglas McGibbon & Co. is a family business founded in 1947 by the husband of Douglas McGibbon’’s granddaughter, a Scotsman from Islay who moved to Glasgow in the 1890s. It became a subsidiary of Douglas Laing in 1950. In addition to its eponymous blend, Douglas McGibbon was for a long time also responsible for the Provenance range. When Douglas Laing’’s two sons Stewart and Fred split in 2013, however, everything was redistributed. The Provenance range went to Douglas Laing, now managed by Fred Laing, and other ranges like the Old Malt Casks went to Hunter Laing, the independent bottler founded by Stewart Laing. Douglas McGibbon now bottles the Clan Denny range.