“We are delighted to be involved in this Distillers One of One Auction. This pair of rare Rosebank bottlings were the first to be released under the Ian Macleod custodianship, using casks from 1993 which was the last year spirit was distilled before being mothballed”
For the first t.mes a truly unique pairing of two rare single casks distilled before Rosebank Distillery was closed in 1993:
Rosebank Single Cask #433 27 Year Old 53.3% abv
Distilled in 1993, bottled in 2020, bottle number 1 of only 280
Rosebank Single Cask #625 27 Year Old 50.4% abv
Distilled in 1993. bottled in 2020, bottle number 1 of only 259
The wooden display plinth to elegantly display both bottles made is from old Rosebank casks. Handwritten and hand signed tasting notes by Malcolm Rennie, Rosebank Distillery Manager.
This lot also includes a 'First Look' experience for two at the newly built Rosebank Distillery prior to public opening (timings c. November 2023). The experience includes a tour and tasting session hosted by the Rosebank Distillery Manager.
Rosebank Distillery
Rosebank was founded in 1840 and by the 20th century, was the top dresser malt in some of the world’s finest blends. The first single malt arrived in the 60’s and Rosebank being the only distillery to use a unique contrast of light and heavy styles through the marriage of triple-distillation and worm tub condensers. The style-defining spirit of the Lowlands, is widely revered as the ‘King of the Lowlands’. In the 90’s Scottish industries went into decline and Rosebank found itself in the wrong place at the wrong t.mes and the distillery closed its doors in 1993.
In 2017, Ian Macleod Distillers – owned by the Russell family – prevented Rosebank from being lost to the history books and have been tirelessly restoring the ancient buildings brick by brick. Three gleaming copper stills now take centre-stage in a magnificent glass-fronted still house. In the middle, proudly connecting Rosebank’s past and future stands the towering 108ft distillery chimney stack, which has been a famous landmark in Falkirk for as long as anyone can recall. 30 years after Rosebank closed in 1993, the distillery is making whisky once more, the first distillation run commenced Summer 2023.
Ian Macleod Distillers is privileged enough to remain one of the most widely respected Scottish independent family firms in the spirits industry, with four generations of expertise, distilling, blending and bottling to its name.
Like a lot of successful family businesses, their story began with someone pouring heart and soul into something they believed passionately in. Their founder, Leonard Russell Snr, pushed at the very limits of his craft and quickly became known for making whisky to exacting standards. Of course, when you make whisky that good, you soon attract interest from those with a similar appreciation for the finer things in life.
80 years on, their family has grown, and today they have an enviable portfolio of much-loved world-class premium Scotch whisky, gin, and rum brands. Each may look and taste very different yet is crafted with the same undeniable passion and commitment to quality.
Their independence gives us freedom to make their own decisions. Whether that’s steadfastly respecting and honouring the unhurried traditions of the past, or fully embracing bold and innovative methods and exciting flavour combinations. Ian Macleod Distillers recognise that being unafraid of evolution is what will give us a place at the table for the next 80 years.