The search has begun; The Glenrothes is running a competition for four whisky enthusiasts to work as Whisky Makers. Glenrothes Distillery was established in 1879 on a tributary of the fast-flowing river Spey. Speyside is universally acknowledged as the heartland of single malt whisky distillation and The Glenrothes is one of the region’s best-kept secrets. Now, for the first time, four whisky enthusiasts will have the chance to discover how to make this exceptional award-winning single malt whisky.

The Glenrothes is bottled only when ready, at the point at which the whisky is fully mature; this is more a question of the type, size and quality of cask rather than merely the length of time spent therein. Each expression has its own personality, underpinned by the key characteristics of the The Glenrothes – ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and an exquisite, spicy finish. The Glenrothes is particularly appreciated for its creamy texture, complexity and balance.

To gain an appreciation of how the distinctive characteristics of The Glenrothes are created, the competition winners will learn each stage of the whisky-making process under the watchful eye of Ronnie Cox, Whisky Ambassador of the

Year 2009: testing the purity of the distillery’s water sources, the Ardcanny and Brauchhill natural springs, which lie a couple of miles upstream from the distillery; milling the malted barley in the traditional Porteus mill to achieve the golden proportions of husk, grits and flour; extracting the soluble sugars in the five tonne mash tun; adding yeast to the wort in the 25,560 litre washback and then monitoring the 55 hour fermentation during which time additional esters can be produced; slowly and carefully distilling the clean, elegant and fruity new make spirit in very tall copper pot stills.

From there, The Glenrothes Whisky Makers will learn the art of coopering at the distillery’s cooperage and lay down their casks of new make spirit to mature in a traditional dunnage warehouse.

After learning about production, the Whisky Makers will spend time with Ronnie Cox in the Inner Sanctum, where they will explore taste and flavour as well as familiarising themselves with The Glenrothes house style and range. The Whisky Makers will use their new-found knowledge to create their very own selection of The Glenrothes – a unique bottle with their own hand-written tasting notes on the label.

After a hard day’s work at the distillery, the Whisky Makers will enjoy the simple pleasures that Speyside has to offer; a spot of salmon fishing in the Spey, dining in local restaurants or perhaps a picnic in the beautiful hills surrounding the distillery. They will stay in Rothes House which, like the distillery, is not open to the public; it is reserved for VIP

visits and is renowned for its generous hospitality.

The Whisky Makers will end their trip exploring the beautiful city of Edinburgh; this will include luxury accommodation, a visit to the Scotch Whisky Experience to see the world’s biggest whisky collection and dinner with Scotland’s most eminent whisky writer, Charles MacLean. Doubtless conversation will flow freely with the convivial spirit of The Glenrothes.

Visit www.theglenrothes.com/whiskymaker to enter.

No purchase necessary. Closing date 31/01/11. Only one entry per person. Open to persons currently aged 21 and over. Exclusions apply. Winners will be notified by email by 18/02/11. Winners must be able to travel to Scotland on 08/05/11 and stay until 14/05/11. Full terms and conditions at www.theglenrothes.com/whiskymaker 7 Aperitif and

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