The Oldest Cask of Glenrothes
A single cask of Glenrothes single malt, filled on 2 January 1969 and now 57 years old is available for sale now. We have found no Glenrothes older than this that been released publicly by the distillery or by any independent bottler.
The whisky has remained in the same oak sherry puncheon for its entire life, held in Edrington warehousing and for many years at the Macallan distillery. It has never been recasked and is still 42.2% ABV.
Offered for sale exclusively through Mark Littler Ltd at £270,000, with an expected outturn of approximately 287 bottles at cask strength. Full documentation and a tasting note by Charles Maclean are available on request.
About the Cask
Cask 35 was filled at Glenrothes distillery on 2 January 1969 and has remained in the same sherry puncheon ever since. It has not been recasked, refilled or moved between wood at any point in fifty-seven years. The wood is oak, though the genus is not recorded.
The cask was held in Edrington warehousing throughout its life, including a long period at the Macallan distillery, and was transferred to Claxton’s Dalswinton bond ahead of the sale.
Distilled: 2 January 1969
Cask number: 35
Cask type: Sherry puncheon, oak
Regauge, April 2026: 200.948 bulk litres, 42.2% ABV, 84.8 litres of alcohol
Regauge, February 2024: 42.4% ABV
Estimated outturn: approximately 287 bottles at 70cl and cask strength
Location: Claxton’s Dalswinton bond
Price: £270,000
The two regauges are worth reading together. A drop of 0.2% over twenty-six months is very slight, and at 42.2% the cask sits comfortably above the 40% minimum at which spirit ceases to be Scotch whisky. This one remains stable and, on the evidence of the past two years, is in no hurry to change.
The estimated outturn assumes bottling at the current strength without reduction. Bottling losses and any further evaporation before that point would reduce the figure.
Ownership and Terms
The buyer receives a delivery order transferring full ownership of the cask. Insurance cover can be arranged through Howden. The cask may be bottled and exported, or left in bond to mature further, and we will work with the owner on either route. Visits to the cask can be arranged by appointment.
The bottled spirit may be described as “distilled at The Glenrothes”, but the Glenrothes trademark cannot be used.
Samples are available to serious enquirers on request.
NOTE: The oldest Glenrothes previously released is a 52 year old bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in 2022, from the same 1969 vintage. Whiskybase records show nothing older from the distillery or any independent bottler. Stock still held privately or within the distillery’s own warehouses is not publicly documented.
Tasting Notes
Assessed by Charles Maclean, Maclean & Bruce, 29 June 2026, at 42.2% ABV.
Appearance: Deep amber. Very light beading, indicating low strength. Good legs.
Aroma: A mellow nose, with no prickle. The top notes combine beeswax, natural turpentine and Easter simnel cake with marzipan, backed by furniture polish, but all mild and elusive. A suggestion of dark chocolate emerges as the aroma develops. Even a drop of water closes down the nose.
Taste: A soft, creamy texture. A sweet overall taste, drying elegantly with a fresh tartness to a long, warming finish, leaving an aftertaste of dark chocolate. Still vital after all the long years of maturation and the comparatively low strength. A pinch of white pepper at reduced strength.
Comment: A noble and subtle malt whisky with a flavour profile which has not been dominated by wood characteristics. This is the oldest Glenrothes I have encountered, so it is also of historical importance.
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