The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 9

• ABV: 59.4%
• Age: NAS
• Bottling: OB, Cask Strength
• Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky
• Cost: £72
• Origin: Glendronach distillery
• Vintage: Undeclared

What they say

he GlenDronach Distillery has today (4th February) released its ninth limited edition release of its Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía. This richly-sherried expression offers connoisseurs a deeper insight into the distillery’s signature profile, by bottling the whisky at its natural cask strength of 59.4%, to bring out the full character and depth of maturation.

With each unique Cask Strength release, Master Blender Dr. Rachel Barrie individually selects and combines the perfect marriage of sherry casks before they are bottled at natural cask strength, as was custom before the turn of the 20th Century. With every expression of The GlenDronach, the deep, natural colour is drawn from slow maturation in Spanish oak casks. The Pedro Ximénez casks impart rich, fruit flavours, whilst dry and nutty notes come from the Oloroso casks.

Little has changed over the centuries at The GlenDronach, where they carry forth the tradition and time-honoured methods that have been practiced since the distillery was established almost two hundred years ago. Founder, James Allardice, was an early pioneer of sherry cask maturation and deemed the distillery’s complex and full bodied spirit perfect for slow maturation in Spanish oak sherry casks; a popular import into Scotland from Spain in the 19th century.

Master Blender, Dr. Rachel Barrie said:

“The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 9 is incredibly rich and full-bodied; the result of years of slow maturation in Pedro Ximénez puncheons and Oloroso sherry butts.

Add a drop or two of water to reveal a cornucopia of flavour; from treacle toffee and raisin-filled toasted brioche, to baked apple and bramble pie and star anise.This crescendos into a lingering dark chocolate, espresso coffee finish. The depth of this Highland Single Malt’s character is boundless.”

Official tasting notes:

Appearance: Deep copper

Nose: Cocoa, liquorice root and baked orange on a base of sultana bread and crème brûlée.

Palate: Treacle toffee and raisin-filled toasted brioche crescendo to baked apple and bramble pie, butterscotch and star anise.

Finish: Layers of richly roasted malt, and a lingering dark chocolate, espresso finish.

What I say

Batch number 9 of Glendronach’s Cask Strength edition sees a slight drop in ABV from last year to a mere 59.4% ABV. Following very much a trend with their recent releases this has been matured in ex-PX and Oloroso sherry casks.

This post was sponsored by The GlenDronach by provision of a sample of this product.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Dark orange gold (13/20), medium-fine tears, oily, medium-fine legs.
• Nose: Heady, dried fruit and spices, red berries, morello cherries, kirsch, cinnamon rolls, red apples, plums, coffee, walnut, chocolate, toffee nut latte, with water more sultanas, date sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce.
• Taste: Medium-full bodied, syrupy then becomes a touch vaporous/alcoholic due to its strength, Murray mints, buttery toffee, caramac bars, apple strudel, nut brittle, praline, gianduja, chocolate, maple & pecan, zesty orange, reduced becomes even more chocolatey, bombe with chocolate sauce.
• Finish: Medium-long, spiced chocolate, vaporous, perhaps a touch spirity and youthful here.

Overall

Another classic cask strength rendition from Glendronach, a hint of apples and spirit here and there but mostly wonderful sherry cask maturation at its best.

Score 85/100

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