Thompson Bros Glenrothes 29yo (1996) Cask #70484 & Thompson Bros Ledaig 30yo (1995) Cask #146

Thompson Bros Glenrothes 29yo (1996) Cask #70484

Region: Speyside

ABV: 45.1%

Price: £160.00

Distilled on 5 April 1996 and matured for 29 years in a refill hogshead, this Glenrothes was bottled in 2025 by Thompson Bros for the Dornoch Castle 25th Anniversary series. The outturn was 184 bottles.

Nose

The nose opens with buttercream frosting, white flowers, simple white bread, mellow fudge and white chocolate jazzles (the white chocolate buttons with sprinkles on them). Behind this sits flat peaches and freshly scraped vanilla pods. It's incredibly buttery, not overly sweet but with more of an artificial sugar aroma to it. The alcohol is very well integrated, and you really get the age shining through, it's a pleasure to nose. 

Palate

The palate opens with more of a zing, we're getting lemon and lime cordial, orange segments, milk chocolate buttons, a little coconut oil and something a little herbal and fresh in the background. The mouthfeel is nice, not overly textured but there's a light sugar syrup texture here, and there's a lovely balance of light peppery spice that doesn't overpower but instead compliments the whisky. The finish lingers on with more vanilla, soft sponge cake, whipped cream and a shaving of white chocolate. There's also a bit of fresh apple mixed in somewhere. There's a little malt and caramel coming through as we go back for another sip. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose maintains the same buttery, creamy, sweet white chocolate notes, but has a little bit more acidity in the background - a mixture of crisp green apple and some freshly squeezed lemon juice. Still soft and gentle, still a pleasure to nose.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate has some slightly darker chocolate and biscuit notes - think an initial hit of chocolate digestives followed by lime and a hint of salt too. The alcohol is a little warmer but it's still within a reasonable level. 

Conclusion

This is a very good, well aged Speyside whisky, there's not much more to say. Whisky left untouched to do its thing for 29 years resulting in a gentle, balanced, complex and tasty dram. We're a bit gutted that we didn't grab a bottle.

Score: 8/10

Value

You don’t need us to tell you this is a bargain for a 29-year-old single cask.

Thompson Bros Ledaig 30yo (1995) Cask #146

Region: Highlands

ABV: 46.9%

Price: £235.00

Distilled on 5 September 1995 and matured for 30 years in a refill hogshead, this unpeated Ledaig was bottled in 2025 for the Dornoch Castle 25th Anniversary. The outturn was 140 bottles.

Nose

The nose opens with something a little industrial, there's a metallic sort of aroma that appears first, moving into banana bread, MDF boards, eucalyptus and a bit of white wine poached pear too. What an interesting, unique nose. Digging deeper, there's some simple vanillas and caramels, presumably from the bourbon cask, but they're quite far in the background. Going back, there's some stem ginger too. The alcohol is very well integrated and you can tell it's an older whisky.

Palate

The palate opens with a burst of candied fruits, lots of apple, pear, a little peach, moving quite quickly into a whole basket full of mango.. it's got something akin to mango chutney - lovely mango sweetness with a hint of earthy spices too. There's also ginger juice, toffee crisp bars, and wafer cones - although with all of these confectionery notes, it's not overly sweet. It feels like it changes with each sip, although we do feel the alcohol spice come through a bit more on the palate. The mouthfeel is fine, decently textured for this ABV, but we're now getting some mushy banana coming through. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose has more of that industrial-ness appearing, but in a sort of rum-funk way - more ginger, more banana, more esthery. It feels a bit drier, sawn wood, but then moves into apricots and clove spice. Again, it keeps changing and evolving. 

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate continues with the candied fruit, caramels, Biscoff spread, and has lost some of that mango we got before - replacing it with oakier woodier sweetness and spice. Still very complex, still constantly changing, but we prefer both the nose and palate without water.

Conclusion

This takes you on a ride. The nose made us a bit apprehensive, however it did mellow out with some air - but the palate is where this dram shines. Each sip presents something new, different, and quite unique. It manages to do so whilst staying in balance, although it is spicier on the palate than the nose let on. One to sit with and ponder. 

Score: 8.5/10

Value

While not quite the bargain of today’s other review, this is still a good price.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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