How is the first Rosebank whisky in 30 years faring?

Saturday, 09 August 2025 at 07:02Rosebank Distillery

Two years ago, brand-new spirit trickled out for the first time from the newly-born Rosebank Distillery in the Scottish Lowlands. What kind of whisky are they really making there? The distillery provides an update.

FAQ

What makes Cask 001 from Rosebank so special?
It's the first cask since the reopening after 30 years of silence, filled with new spirit in 2023.
What can we expect from the taste when the whisky is ready?
That's not known yet, but the spirit is already summery and floral in taste.
When will this spirit officially become whisky?
In July 2026, after three years of maturation according to Scottish regulations.

How is Rosebank Cask 001 doing?

The Rosebank Distillery reopened its doors in July 2023 after a long period (of 30 years) of being closed. That year, the first spirit again flowed from the stills and is still quietly maturing in the warehouses in the Lowlands.

Cask 001 is being closely monitored by Neil Bulloch, head distiller at Rosebank. He is keenly aware that whisky enthusiasts are wondering what character the new whisky will have and if it can be compared at all with the divine drink from the old stills.

That's why he's now sharing an update on the taste and character of the whisky in progress.

What does the new Rosebank spirit taste like after two years of maturation?

The new spirit has been distilled three times and comes from the special worm tubs of the Scottish distillery. This gives the drink a soft and elegant character with a hint of earthiness.

Bulloch and Gordon Dundas, Advocacy Director at Rosebank, tasted a sample from the refill cask together. Dundas mentions that the spirit clearly needs more time to mature, but the spices of the American oak are already very noticeable.

Bulloch describes the taste of the Rosebank spirit as follows:

‘Very fruity and floral. Summer meadows... wind in your hair’

- Neil Bulloch

After two years of maturation, there's already quite a bit of flavour to be found in the spirit, but how it will develop remains to be seen.

When will the new Rosebank whisky be released?

The release of Rosebank Cask 001 whisky will take some time yet. The spirit officially becomes whisky next year, but it won't immediately be bottled. Bulloch explains that it depends on the character of the whisky:

‘We're not going to rush it. It might well become an eight-year-old whisky, but we'll have to wait and see.’

- Neil Bulloch

The whisky will be tasted from the cask again next year. Whether the distillery shares it with enthusiasts is not yet announced.

Fact: During the Christmas holidays of 2008, the already-closed Rosebank Distillery was broken into. Intruders stole the copper stills and the mash tun then.