Rosebank Distillery finally restarted production after 30 years of silence in July last year, much to the delight of whisky fans who had long lamented the ‘King of the Lowlands’. Since its closure, Rosebank fans have been sustained by limited edition releases from owner Ian Macleod Distillers, as well as some independent bottlings. Now, with the stills fired up once again, it may only be a few short years before we see new Rosebank whisky come to market.
Given this exciting prospect, I thought it would be fitting to take a look at an older Rosebank whisky for this week’s Scotch Whisky Legends. Let’s talk about the history, prices, and Serge Valentin’s tasting notes for the Rosebank 20 Year Old Distillers Agency, bottled in the 1980s and imported for Zenith Italia.
The Rosebank 20 Year Old Distillers Agency/Zenith Import, Bottled 1980s
In the 1980s, Rosebank Distillery was owned by Distillers Company Limited (now Diageo). The company provided a number of Rosebank casks to the Italian importer, G.P. Bonfanti for his distribution company, Zenith Italia.
This Rosebank 20 Year Old whisky itself was distilled at Rosebank sometime in the 1960s, and bottled for The Distillers Agency, based in Edinburgh, before being exported to Italy where the appetite for single malt scotch was on the rise.
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Bottled at a full-proof 57%, this 20 Year Old Rosebank is a gem for any Rosebank collector, especially considering that the first official 8 Year Old expression (not including the ‘Ascot Malt Cellar’ 8 Year Old, released six years prior) was not launched until 1988. Serge Valentin had the pleasure of sampling one of just 2,580 bottles ever produced. A 15 Year Old expression was also produced for Zenith Italia.
Rosebank Distillery was closed in 1993 due to the unwillingness of then-owner UDV, to complete an estimated £2 million renovation to the on-site treatment plant.
Serge Valentin’s Tasting Notes On The Rosebank 20 Year Old Distillers Agency/Zenith Import, Bottled 1980s
Serge Valentin sampled the Rosebank 20 Year Old in April 2008. Here is what he had to say:
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“Colour: pale gold.
“Nose: just like the 1967, it’s a bit shy at first nosing, but then it gets even more on coal smoke and shoe polish, like many of the old dumpies by Cadenhead. Also more kumquats and lemon marmalade, but I’m sure water will be needed again. So, with water: plain shoe polish! Reminds me of my days in the army – don’t ask me why I like shoe polish then. Faint whiffs of wet dogs (not army dogs).
“Mouth (neat): fantabulous attack, but not one that would please everyone. Thick and oily, starting extremely tarry and almost metallic (nah, this bottle had a cork stopper), with the lemony notes starting to act on your tongue like myriads of mini-explosions (err, or something like that). Then it’s kumquats, bitter oranges, mastic, peanut butter, lemon-flavoured toffee, crystallised fruits (all kinds)… Wowie!
“With water: even better, even more complex. Gorgeous whisky. Finish: we haven’t gotten all day, have we? Comments: a legendary bottle, an ode to the Lowlands of Scotland (don’t be silly, Serge.) SGP:662 – 93 points.” – Serge Valentin, WhiskyFun.com, April 2008
Auction Prices
Given the rarity of Rosebank distillate from the 1960s, it is no surprise that this bottle commands a premium at auction. According to my research, this bottle has been sold at auction just 28 times, with its first appearance being in August 2016.
The current auction record sits at £3,401, achieved at Whisky Auctioneer in October 2021. As for the current range, market softening means that you can snatch up this Rosebank 20 Year Old for between £1,250 and £1,600.
A Brief History of Rosebank Distillery
The history of Rosebank Distillery can be traced back to 1798, when distilling was first recorded in the area. Officially named ‘Rosebank’ in 1817, the distillery became fully operational in the early 19th century. Many attribute the distillery’s opening to the Firth and Clyde Canal, which opened in 1790 and provided easy access to the distillery.
The distillery that we know today, however, began in 1840 when James Rankine acquired the maltings of the Camelon Distillery. Rosebank Distillery Ltd was formed in 1894, and in 1914 it became part of Scottish Malt Distillers. In 1925, the distillery was folded in DCL.
Despite a reputation for high-quality single malts, the productive distillery was mothballed in 1993 by UDV due to the costly need for renovation. In fact, the distillery could have been saved, had it been chosen to represent the Lowlands in UDV’s Classic Malts Selection. Glenkinchie was chosen instead.
The ensuing years saw the sale of the site to British Waterways and the theft of Rosebank’s stills. Hopes that the distillery would reopen now seemed unfounded.
However, in 2017, Ian Macleod Distillers acquired the site and announced plans to revive Rosebank. The distillery filled its first casks in almost 30 years in 2021, and began welcoming visitors this summer (2024).
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