That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s first batch of Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whisky features the Rothes Cemetery (which is next door to the distillery), with its gravestones turning black from the fungus that thrives on the evaporated alcohol vapour from the distillery. A peaceful, moonlit scene, the perfect time for a ghost to enjoy the solitude, which is just what this spectral apparition is doing.
This is the ghost of Biawa “Byeway” Makalaga, who was rescued from starvation in Bulawayo by Major Grant as a child, became very popular in Rothes (even playing in goal for the town's football team), and passed away in 1972. Following the installation of two new stills at Glenrothes seven years later, Byeway’s ghost made two appearances in the distillery. According to a professor, who was brought in to assess the situation, the new stills had disturbed a ley-line, an invisible line of energy, which was subsequently put right and the situation was courteously resolved without the need for Venkman, Stantz, Spengler and Zeddemore to get involved.
This started the Glenrothes tradition of raising a “toast to the ghost” with a dram of their superb Speyside whisky, and we’ll thank you to do the same with this fantastic bottling. Jim Murray gave this a score of 89 in his Whisky Bible.
Batch 1 is a release of 235 numbered bottles.
‘That Boutique-y Whisky Company’ bottles single malts, single grains, blended malts, blends and bourbons from a variety of renowned distilleries. These whiskies are adorned with cultish graphic-novel-style labels.
Sweet gingerbread men from the good old days (you know, when you got given one as a treat instead of having to buy it yourself), soft blueberries, honey, orange zest and barley.
Waves of golden syrup and honey, one after the other. Underneath these amber waves you'll find notes of ginger and allspice.
A rather long, dry finish, rich with barley.
Oh yes, this is a delicious dram that you can definitely raise a toast with.
