Every so often, a whisky comes along that shifts the rhythm of my experience — not with fanfare or marketing, but something more quiet. Roseisle is one of those whiskies.
As readers of my blog know, whisky for me is never just a drink — it’s a thought and memory–invoking experience. This one is no different.
I bought this bottle over a year ago, but it sat patiently on the shelf, waiting its turn while I worked through other open bottles. I didn’t know what to expect — after all, this was my first encounter with the distillery.
Roseisle 12 Special Release
ABV: 56.5%
When I finally reached for it, the packaging immediately spoke to me. It reminded me of the coast — not just my Newfoundland home, or my years spent along the shores of West Africa — but the coast itself. The kind of place where fresh air fills your lungs and the tide never stops breathing against the shoreline.
The information on the tube promises “a full complex of dark molasses and smooth, sticky stewed fruits.” It delivers that richness, but with a surprisingly lighter color than expected. The cask strength ABV delivers something long, deep and powerful. It lingers and builds.
On the first pass, I’m met with dark fruit, burnt sugar, and a touch of molasses. Beneath are brighter notes: apple peel, fresh fruit and vanilla.
It’s a whisky that asks for patience. Let it rest and it evolves. Open it up with a few drops of cold water and it invites more time with it.
A truly exceptional dram.