Rosebank 31 Year Old Whisky Scoops Gold in San Francisco, Officially Becoming the ‘Best in the World’ 2025
Paul McGann hurting his leg playing football so Sean Bean could step up to play the role of Richard Sharpe. Will Smith choosing to film Wild Wild West instead of playing Neo in The Matrix, and me accidentally burning dinner the other week, forcing us to order a delicious supper of fish and chips instead. I’m a firm believer that some things in life are simply meant to be, and Falkirk’s Rosebank Distillery once being mothballed is a prime example of this.
I know this may sound harsh, but don’t worry, this story has a very happy ending. Last summer, you may remember an article I wrote entitled Rosebank Reawakening. I won’t spoil it for you if you’ve not yet had a read, but the basic gist of it was to highlight how a distillery dating back to the 1840s, fell silent in 1993 before being purchased by a father-son team in 2017, revamped, renovated, and reopened in 2024.
To say that the reawakening was a success would be a huge understatement, especially considering that one of their drams has just been crowned ‘Best in Show’ at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition 2025.
Here’s a better look at this exceptional dram and even more remarkable story of the distillery’s comeback itself.
The Ultimate Comeback Story
We’ve seen some amazing comebacks over the years. Liverpool coming back from 3-0 down to win the Champion’s League Final in 2005 being one example that instantly springs to mind. As awesome as that comeback was, however, even I have to admit that it pales in comparison to Rosebank’s story.
For nearly three decades since 1993, Rosebank Distillery was a sleeping giant. This once historic Falkirk distillery was now silent and looked resigned for the history books. Yet another distillery soon to be tragically demolished, never to be seen again. Thankfully, after a scenic drive through the Scottish countryside, the Russell family, of family-owned Ian Macleod Distillers, had other ideas and decided to step in and buy it.
After nearly five years of development, not to mention countless obstacles and roadblocks along the way, Rosebank opened its doors in 2024, and it was very much business as usual. Thankfully, before the distillery’s closure, they already had a surplus of distilled spirit barrelled up, maturing away, ready to be bottled and sold to lucky whisky drinkers from all over the globe.
Known as the Rosebank Legacy Trilogy, this set of drams pre-dating the distillery’s closure in 1993 consisted of a 30 Year Old, a 32 Year Old, and the star of the show today, a 31 Year Old.
Best in Show
As you may know, we here at GreatDrams are no slouches when it comes to winning awards. We know what it takes to produce a gold-standard whisky, so please believe me when I say that this is a special whisky from a special distillery.
The San Francisco World Spirit Competition is arguably the most prestigious spirits competition in the world. Winning gold there is a huge honour, but to win ‘Best in Show’? Well, you literally can’t get better than that.
Considered the most prestigious honour in world spirits judging, the Best in Show title means that your whisky is head and shoulders above the rest. It’s a huge accolade and is not a title that is handed out lightly. Earlier in 2025, Rosebank Distillery won this very title thanks to their 31 Year Old Lowland single malt whisky.
Bottled in 2022, triple distilled in 1991, and matured for over three decades in a selection of refill sherry butts and bourbon casks pre-dating the distillery’s tragic closure in 1993, this multi-award-winning dram is light, floral, zingy, refreshing, and showcases just how special Lowlands expressions can be.
It was a hugely successful night in San Francisco for the distillery referred to as ‘King of the Lowlands’ as, on top of ‘Best in Show’ they secured a plethora of other awards including ‘Best Single Malt Scotch’ and ‘Best Overall Scotch’.
That’s all fine and well, but how does a multi-award-winning triple-distilled single malt taste? Well, let’s just take a look, shall we?
Bottled at 48.1% ABV, this naturally coloured, non-chill filtered whisky is nowhere near as dark you’d expect for a dram of its age. It has a glorious light honey colour to it that contrasts exceptionally well with the reds, golds, and whites of the label. It just looks luxurious, like liquid gold in a bottle.
On the nose, it’s brimming with zingy citrus fruits. Expect fresh lime zest, sherbet lemons, and lightly charred orange. These fruity notes are balanced beautifully with aromas of sweet vanilla, sugared almonds, and sweet sherry.
On the palate, you really get those trademark sweet and floral lowlands notes. There’s a distinct hint of heather honey, chamomile tea, lemon balm, summer berry compote, ripe banana bread, and buttery Scottish shortbread.
The finish is sweet, cloying, and moderate in length. Finally, that oak makes an appearance, albeit only faintly. There’s tinned peaches and evaporated milk, lemon meringue pie, mint, and a suggestion of thyme-infused honey. It would make a fantastic, albeit expensive, Hot Toddy, this dram.
If you’d like to own this amazing expression, you’d better act fast, as there is only a limited supply available. Each bottle can be purchased for the princely sum of £1,800 (as of this writing) and is presented in a gorgeous bespoke luxury case.
The good folks over at Rosebank recommend enjoying this dram neat in fine glassware to enjoy its subtle elegant complexity.
If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the diverse selection of unique whiskies we currently have in stock.
With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.
Greg
You might be interested in
More from the blog
Follow greatdrams
latest articles
Latest whisky
exclusively from GreatDrams
