Professional reviews
Serge Valentin (87)
Colour: pale gold. Nose: a fine, rather citric and chalky natural Glenrothes, with good grasses and fruit peelings in the background. With water: very lovely, pure, on lemons, limestone, oatcakes, grist and grapefruits. Mouth (neat): a fine, rather citric and chalky natural Glenrothes, with good grasses and fruit peelings in the background. Sorry about any echoes. With water: more citrus, chalk, then oils (linseed) and a little paraffin. Finish: rather long, very zesty and chalky. Comments: excellent, refreshing, very vertical. Anything citrus is perfect anyway.
Words of Whisky (86)
Nose: Fresh lemon yoghurt and… well, really plenty of lemon indeed! Clean, fresh, and inviting with subtle notes of vanilla, wet grass, and stewed apples. Not very complex, but a profile that suits me and is well-balanced to boot.
Taste: Nice, creamy mouthfeel. There’s apple sauce, cinnamon and some cane sugar, followed by bitter oak. Finally some black pepper and cloves, as well as a touch of menthol.
Finish: A lingering spiciness, with a fruity encore (pears, apples). Medium in length.
Rating: 86
An attractive and balanced nose, with a palate that’s a tad too spicy for me. Overall a good dram.
BOW (88.50)
Glenrothes 20 Years Old The Duchess Shieldmaiden Lagertha: A Zesty Journey of Heroic Flavors
Within the vast world of whisky, there are exceptional expressions that pay tribute to legendary figures and embody their spirit. The Glenrothes 20 Years Old The Duchess Shieldmaiden Lagertha, part of the esteemed Shieldmaiden Series by the Dutch Premium Independent label and bottler, The Duchess, is one such whisky. Distilled in 1996 and bottled in March 2017, this limited edition release celebrates the courage and strength of Lagertha, a prominent Viking shieldmaiden. Matured in a Hogshead, a mere 355 bottles were produced, making it a truly prized gem among collectors seeking fine and ultra-rare casks.
A Zesty Symphony:
The Glenrothes 20 Years Old The Duchess Shieldmaiden Lagertha offers a sensory journey that reflects the heroic character it honors. With a vibrant alcohol content of 52.8%, this whisky commands attention and boasts flavors that capture the essence of a Viking warrior.
Official Tasting Notes:
The nose of this expression presents a delightful freshness, reminiscent of lemon yoghurt. The lemon notes continue to dominate, creating a clean and invigorating aroma. Subtle hints of vanilla, wet grass, and stewed apples complement the zesty profile, resulting in a well-balanced and inviting experience. While not overly complex, the simplicity of flavors allows for appreciation of its harmonious character.
On the palate, the whisky unfolds with a creamy mouthfeel. Apple sauce and cinnamon take the lead, accompanied by a touch of cane sugar. The interplay of flavors is further enhanced by bitter oak, offering a delightful contrast. As the taste develops, black pepper, cloves, and a hint of menthol add layers of complexity, providing a truly invigorating and robust experience.
The finish is marked by a lingering spiciness, offering a captivating encore of fruits such as pears and apples. Medium in length, it leaves a lasting impression and invites further exploration.
Limited Availability:
With only 355 bottles available, the Glenrothes 20 Years Old The Duchess Shieldmaiden Lagertha is a highly sought-after release among whisky enthusiasts and collectors. Each bottle represents the expertise and dedication that went into crafting this exceptional expression, making it a prized addition to any whisky collection.
Conclusion:
The Glenrothes 20 Years Old The Duchess Shieldmaiden Lagertha stands as a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of The Duchess. Bottled exclusively for the Shieldmaiden Series, this whisky pays homage to the valor and spirit of Lagertha, a legendary Viking shieldmaiden. With its limited availability, vibrant flavors, and well-balanced profile, it captures the essence of heroic tales and offers an unforgettable journey for whisky connoisseurs. Raise a glass to the Glenrothes Shieldmaiden Lagertha and let its zesty symphony transport you to the realm of warriors and legends. Skål!
Malt Fascination (87)
The third Shieldmaiden bottling is a bourbon cask matured Glenrothes, a curiosity in its own right. Compared to the previous release, the Ardbeg (Shieldmaiden Malin) it’s a very affordable whisky, clocking in at . In the current climate this is a very fair price for a 20 year old single cask.
The nose starts with quite a lot of alcohol, but is also warm and shows hints of freshly sawn oak. Quite warm, with straw and slightly bitter hints of pear peels. Fresh bread. All in all a rather light nose. The palate is much more spicy with lots of oak. Rather sharp and dry with fresh oak, apples, pears and straw. Baked apple too. The finish is fruity again, with apple juice, apple and soft pear. Some red fruits too, and rather long.
A nice and unorthodox Glenrothes, that’s very much worth a taste. I can imagine this being a surprising whisky to a lot of Glenrothes fanatics, but in a very good way. Quite an interesting dram, that can handle a drop of water.
