Whisky Guide > Distillery Profiles > Glenrothes Distillery

Glenrothes' Stills

Rebuilt in 1980, the magnificent still house is home to five wash stills and five spirit stills. They stand in two rows with the copper-clad condensers looming over the spirit safe, (bottom right) which sit on a gantry in the middle

Two wash stills are charged with the contents of one wash back - 12,900 litres. A balanced process is used, whereby the spirit stills are always charged with the same volumes of low wines, feints and foreshots. This ensures consistency, with each distillation being the same as the last.

Both are onion-shaped, however, it is noticeable that the spirit stills are the same size as the wash stills. Unusually they have a higher charge than the wash stills.

The size and shape of the spirit still will lead to a lighter, delicate spirit. Glenrothes has the typical Speyside characteristics, complimented by an appealing spiciness.