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Rosebank Connoisseur's Choice 1989 12 Year

Nostalgia anyone?

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RReview by @Rigmorole

1st Jul 2013

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Rosebank Connoisseur's Choice 1989 12 Year
  • Nose
    ~
  • Taste
    ~
  • Finish
    ~
  • Balance
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  • Overall
    86

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

This G&M edition was nice, but did not compare to the Brora that I drank before it, and hence, brought down my enjoyment. It wasn't the fault of the Rosebank, but I do think perhaps it is overrated a bit due to nostalgia.

Nose was delightful with some pear, clover, honey suckle, and hay.

Palate: felt very smooth in the mouth; almonds, wild flowers, hay, a bit of cereal note. It was a little hot but I did not need to add water.

The finish was medium length with a bit of caramel, almonds, and ginger.

A nice dram, but not worth any fuss to acquire merely because Rosebanks are getting harder and harder to find. Not nearly as sumptuous as the Flora and Fauna edition.

Still, I felt fortunate to be able to try a glass of this disappearing whisky due to Rosebank being mothballed and the unfortunate turn of events with the copper stills being stolen by opportunistic burglars that cheated us all out of the chance to possibly taste a rebirth of this fine lowland distillery.

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2 comments

Rigmorole commented

As promised in my previous review comments for the 24 YO glass of Brora that I photographed, here are the pictures of the Rosebank 12 YO that also may have some unusual abstract reflections and plays of light, etc.

Image I: Rosebank whisky. To me, I see what looks like a weird cartoon decapitated torso with an abstract amphibian-like head above it slightly to the right. There also appears to be an arm on the right side of the glass facing the camera (which would make it the left arm of the figure's body).

Above the decapitation there appears to be a figure clad in a black robe with a white face, a crown of lights above the head, and two hands stretched forward, as if in some sort of ceremony.

Another interpretation of folks at the bar on the Sunday afternoon these photos were taken, was that of a baby lying just behind the back of a chair with a strange crowned (dog-faced) figure which looks to be leaning back against the chair, which appears to be an old fashioned plush chair with a red crushed velvet back on it.

In this second interpretation, the baby is facing to the right side of the photo lying on its back. The "arm" in this interpretation is a bundle over the infant's lower body that is being distorted by the shape of the glass. The face of the "infant" also appears to be pulled downward in a distorted way.

www.anony.ws/i/2013/07/02/lGgL7.jpg

Yes, I know that some of these interpretations are reaching a bit. What do you see? Maybe I am just a little more imaginative than most.

Image II: Rosebank whisky. Here is the same decapitated torso with an article of armor on the "chest." A ghostly mustached head seems to be floating over the severed neck of the torso. To me, the article of "armor" looks ancient, such as what the Romans wore.

www.anony.ws/i/2013/07/02/AmDN1.jpg

You have my solemn oath that I did not doctor or photoshop/change these photos in any way. They are 100% real. I took them with my I-phone G3 cell phone and I am not a particularly experienced photographer.

Image III: Rosebank whisky. Yet more of the weird decapitated image with a floating disembodied head.

www.anony.ws/i/2013/07/02/ZiLbo.jpg

Okay, so perhaps I am getting carried away with the images. Does anyone think this image in the glass is strange? Maybe it's just my imagination. I truly hope so.

I must say that the Highland Stillhouse does have a very unusual atmosphere, even for folks without an active imagination.

And, yes, some of the more candid employees think it is haunted. They speak of stories circulating amongst them of bartenders and kitchen workers having ghostly encounters there late at night, usually after closing with no customers left in the place.

There was allegedly some horrible accident in the building in which several people died gruesomely long before the Highland Stillhouse whisky pub was in existence. Incidentally, Mick, the owner, is a retired surgeon (MD).

I'm glad that I was never given a Rorschach Test! Eee gads! I'm done taking photographs of my whisky at the Stillhouse! Never again! It is interesting to note that both sets of photographs were taken of rare whiskies from mothballed distilleries that are no more!

11 years ago 0

@systemdown
systemdown commented

That first image is the clearest and most interesting I think.. I see a white robed figure leaning over a red chair or bassinet with what could be an infant within. Not sure which part is the "dog face" although there could be a side on shot of a dog / bear like face just above the infant.

In the second image I see a floating cartoon ghoulish face over a decapitated body. I don't really see any body armour there.. or if I do, it looks like chainmail perhaps but isn't really attached to the body or the head very well.. kinda like a bad superimposition?

The third one is less clear again.

I don't think it's just your imagination, especially with that first photo, the image is haunting and fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

I too should never take a Rorschach Test..

Also.. thanks for the Rosebank review, I have heard that these younger ones could be a little on the "hot" side.

11 years ago 0