From the Producer

Take some plump, ripe Scottish barley - steep it in fresh water, then lay it out, turn it, let it germinate before drying it in a kiln: you then have your 'malted' barley; next mill it before mixing it with hot water, then mash it to extract the soluble starches; allow the liquid to cool for fermentation, add yeast, control the magic of the yeast effect by letting it bubble and froth and two days later you have a 'wash' of 8% alcohol, a bit like beer.

Now the distillation, a carefully controlled process in which the liquid is heated twice in a pair of tall-necked traditional copper pot stills, the vapours rise and are condensed, the liquid spirit is formed and the Stillman takes his 'middle-cut' from the second distillation. This, the heart, is little more than 17-19% of the total run. Finally the 'new make' has its strength reduced and is filled into oak casks to rest and mature in the warehouse.

It should be emphasised, however, that we take exceptional care in the birth of The Glenrothes spirit. The pure water is taken from only two springs - the Ardcanny and the Brauchill (or Lady's Well) - both situated near the distillery. We only select Scottish barley, most of which is malted in Saladin boxes - a traditional method which undoubtedly contributes to the quality of the end product. Quality and purity are the hallmarks of The Glenrothes, these must be rigorously adhered to from beginning to end.

The shape of the pot stills is another important factor in creating Malt Whisky that is unique. Our stills today are designed and fashioned to be exact replicas of the original stills made in 1879. Our unusually slow distillation process in these tall copper pot stills delivers our characteristic sweet, fruity and elegant spirit.

Just as the dedicated water supply adds its own unique influence. And the extraordinary micro-climate of the area surrounding the distillery influences the development of flavour in the wooden casks over the long years of maturation in Dunnage style warehouses. On top of the inimitable specifics of provenance there is, of course, the wisdom of the artisan, unhurriedly but meticulously passed on from generation to generation.