A solo tasting, Roseisle


October 16, 2025

A solo tasting, Roseisle!

We never do this – but this time, we’re just not feeling creative enough to pit another malt against Roseisle. Unless… well, you never know...

Roseisle 14 yo 'Harmonic Grace' (55.9%, OB Special Releases 2025, refill and rejuvenated casks)

Remember that? Everyone was talking about Roseisle when the distillery first fired up the stills, and then... radio silence. We visited back then; it was a lovely experience. Playful label, very ‘AI’. The name ‘Harmonic Grace’ sounds like a Buddhist mantra, by Imee Ooi perhaps? Colour: pale gold. Nose: it’s light, soft, malty, on apples and pears, with no edges and nothing out of place. One thinks of Glenfiddich 12 straight away. With water: a few notes of roasted peanuts and white nougat. Mouth (neat): of course it’s good, it’s ultra-classic, all on malt with touches of coffee, limoncello, and pilsner beer. Very light, very ‘natural’, despite a few hints of that absolute abomination some call Dubai-style chocolate. With water: no major change, save for a faint bitterness. Finish: rather short but pleasing, more on lemons and beer. Comments: this is certainly very good, it’s just a tiny wee tad dull(ish).
SGP:551 - 84 points.

Wait, we've finally got an idea for a sparring partner. What would you say to this…?

Aldunie (Kinninvie) 26 yo 1997/2023 (52.6%, The Whisky Blues, barrel, cask #2032, 155 bottles)

These labels remain as stunning as ever, but William Grant's Kinninvie has never exactly been the stuff of malted dreams... Truth be told, it probably wasn’t designed to catapult malt enthusiasts straight to Mars. Colour: pale gold. Nose: but how very close this is to Roseisle! Pre-AI whisky, one might say, very good, but slightly devoid of emotion. That said, there are plenty of charming wee touches, green tea, putty, lime, quince, fresh rubber... though all of it speaks in a whisper. With water: much the same, though a tad more characterful and earthy than the Roseisle. Mouth (neat): right, this is really very good now, with a lovely lemon and some green apple, along with a hint of liquorice wood. No complaints here. With water: folds in a little, moving towards beer, cider, and liquorice. Finish: rather long, a touch fuller and fresher than the Roseisle’s. Comments: neither Ardbeg nor Brora, but it takes all sorts to build a malty world, does it not. Seriously, this is a very, very good malt, nothing to fault.
SGP:5514 - 85 points.