With most conventional Scotch, the number that appears on the bottle refers to the aging of the whiskey within the cask; a MacCallan 25-year, for instance, carries a much different character than a MacCallan 10-year due to the whisky’s natural maturation. The Glenrothes, however, follow a winemaker’s casking process—labeling with a vintage instead of age, because with whiskey as with wine, each year develops a different personality. Specific vintages also add a level of rarity and authenticity to an otherwise generic labeling practice.

The Glenrothes 1975 Vintage ($450) is a single malt Scotch that the distillery claims to be the last of their much-accredited ’70s vintages. With its deep golden hue and sweet vanilla scent, the 1975 almost invites you to pour a glass. The texture is smooth and reminiscent of full-bodied cognac, while the taste of toffee tingles the tongue and leaves only the slightest nutty finish. A tinge of citrus also lingers, adding a bit of freshness to a 31-year Scotch that was distilled in 1975 and bottled in 2006. The 1975 is sure to be an after-dinner favorite and is best enjoyed in short, savoring sips. With only 3,708 bottles, the 1975 is one of Glenrothes’ smallest-ever Vintage runs, so if you share a glass with a friend, choose the friend wisely.

The Glenrothes, www.glenrotheswhisky.com