Rosebank recently released a 32 year old expression and the brand honoured the occasion in one of the most unique ways imaginable: by commissioning a piece of orchestral music.
The 32 year old is the final entry into a series of whiskies released by Rosebank since the brand was taken over by Ian Macleod, who have revived the long closed distillery.
Composer Des Oliver - whose reputed works have been performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - composed an entirely original piece after sampling the 32 year old earlier in the year.
Oliver was inspired by the unique flavours of the whisky, saying “was drawn to the idea of translating the nuances of the spirit into a sonic landscape, choosing to write it in a way that reflected the multifaceted nature of this whisky.”
He added “the composition evolves like my tasting experience, with each moment capturing a different aspect of the whisky’s flavour profile – from its initial smoothness and richness to the subtle hints of oak and spice. The piece invites listeners to immerse themselves fully in the sensory journey of the whisky, from the initial anticipation to the subtle echoes of flavour that resonate long after the final note has faded.”
The whisky offers a veritable symphony of flavours, with initial notes of pineapple and ginger on the nose, before thyme, butterscotch and tropical fruits lead to lemon and toasted walnuts on the finish. How much of that is reflected in the music will, of course, be an entirely subjective matter.
The piece, titled Rosebank Reawakening, not only draws inspiration from the whisky but also from the distillery itself. Oliver said how the bulbous nature of the still and the intricacies of the machinery reminded him of various brass and woodwind instruments. As such, he chose to utilise those instruments into his composition.
As part of the celebration, Oliver performed the piece with the world famous Chineke! Orchestra at the distillery. A video containing clips from the performance, plus Oliver discussing his experience with the whisky and the distillery, is available on Rosebank’s website.
Speaking of the collaboration, distillery manager Malcolm Rennie said working with the musicians “has been fascinating, and to see them interpret their experience of this whisky and create such stunning piece of inspired music fills me with so much pride. Listening to it whilst savouring a dram completely elevates the tasting notes, making for a magical experience.”
As well as celebrating the new whisky, Rennie noted that the music “symbolises a new era for Rosebank, as we prepare to open the doors of our revived distillery.”
The Rosebank 32 Year old was bottled at 47.6% and was made available 13th May 2024.
It’s not uncommon for whisky brands to look to the arts to enhance their offering. High-end whiskies are often presented in decanters and boxes made by notable craftsmen. More likely is artists to be commissioned to design labels for bottles.
However, it’s less common for whisky to turn to music in the same way.
There are of course countless songs written about whisky (and the effects of drinking it!). Similarly, there is a growing trend of musical artists launching their own whisky or spirits brand. Rod Stewart’s Wolfie’s blend or Metallica’s Blackened bourbon are just two examples. Yet these collaborations don’t fully bring the two worlds together. They’re not using the power of one to serve the other. Bob Dylan’s ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’ wasn’t written about him asking to get into his distillery after all.
Of course, Rosebank aren’t the first Scotch brand to collaborate with musicians to celebrate their latest launch.
In 2022, Macallan collaborated with Glasgow-based post-rock band Mogwai for the launch of their 81 year old The Reach. The Mercury-nominated group composed an original score for the whisky’s launch video and performed at the distillery for its launch event.
It’s also worth giving special mention to The Rhythm and Booze Project, who have hosted whisky tasting and live music experiences for almost ten years. The group have toured throughout the UK and the US, and have collaborated with Caol Ila and Lagavulin on different projects.
Even with these examples in mind, it does feel as if the piece composed by Des Oliver might be straying into uncharted territory. Music specifically created for a whisky and its home.
Oliver admits that the task was an “abstract thing to be asked to do”. But whisky, like music, can be an evocative experience. Enjoying a dram can conjure forth images of a specific time and place, just as a melody can stir emotions and memories.
Or, as Oliver tried to demonstrate, the musical journey of a piece can mirror the journey of drinking a dram. It can start soft and slow or immediately slap you in the face, before continuing in the same vein or segueing into something completely different.
Ultimately, bringing together whisky and music could possibly be a way to not just enjoy both, but elevate the two art forms to create an entirely new experience.
But maybe I’m over thinking this. Maybe the commission and the performance were simply fun things to do. Art for art’s sake. Similarly, a dram can be just that - a dram. But where’s the magic in that?
Not every distillery will be able to launch their latest release in such grand and imaginative style, so who knows if this is something we’ll see more of in the future. Nevertheless it’s still a fitting tribute to an iconic distillery, it’s whiskey, it’s past, and its future.
