Rosebank 12 Year Old (Flora and Fauna)

This is the well known - and much praised - official Rosebank from the Flora & Fauna series (a term, by the way, that was coined by whisky guru Michael Jackson).

The first thing that hits you on this utterly soft, but oh so sweet, nose is the typical floral a fruity characteristics: camomile, pears, sap of unmatured graps and a touch of cream.

This elegant lady ('cause I always think of this beautiful dram as a 'she') rolls smoothly over the palate, slightly creamy and delicate. Some nuts, grass and flowers and wonderfully clean. Winter herbs, potpourri, tangerines and a touch of tannins. It reminds me a bit of Cointreau, the orange licqeuer, but with a lot more schwung, if you know what I mean. Marvellous.

The finish is not particularly long, but fruity and feisty, with a hint of mint at the death.

This is an excellent Lowland in general and a fantastic Rosebank in particular, that invites you to lounge in your favourite sofa for an hour. Heart rending if you realise that the distillery will never be revived. Despite the price tag of about 65 quid, you should not let this pass you by.

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