The Glenrothes Bids Farewell to No-Age-Statement Whiskies and Revives Single-Vintage Offerings
Scottish whisky brand The Glenrothes recently announced a complete shift back to single-vintage releases. Global partnerships director John Laurie revealed in an exclusive interview that this decision centers on presenting the whisky at its peak maturation stage, not commercial considerations.
The brand launched its oldest expression to date, The 51-Year-Old, in March, officially ending its no-age-statement (NAS) era. This move follows the discontinuation of the Soleo series, which included aged statements from 10 to 25 years and the NAS Whisky Maker’s Cut, under former master blender Gordon Motion. Current master blender Laura Rampling has restructured the core range with three age-statement releases—15, 18, and 25 years.
Laurie noted this transformation aligns with recent industry trends, where brands like Longmorn, Bruichladdich, and The Glenlivet have introduced older expressions, contrasting sharply with the NAS boom a decade ago. He highlighted how vintage years create unique narratives—whether tied to a consumer’s birth year or a milestone—offering emotional connections unmatched by other spirits.
Addressing NAS whisky debates, Laurie acknowledged its historical role in democratizing whisky appreciation for younger audiences. While The Glenrothes now pivots toward vintage expressions, he believes NAS remains valuable for new distilleries entering the market, with today’s consumers more discerning regardless of their choice between NAS or age-statement whiskies.
The 51-Year-Old, a landmark release, blends just two batches of casks, showcasing tropical fruit notes and rare vibrancy. Notably, each bottle is encased in a Jesmonite-gray column that must be broken to open—a design encouraging consumption over collection. Fragments are repaired using kintsugi and returned to owners as keepsakes.
2025-05-12
Source: https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/05/the-glenrothes-says-goodbye-to-no-age-statement-whiskies/