What they say

The GlenDronach Distillery, hidden in the fertile landscape of the Valley of Forgue, deep in the east Highland hills, has honoured centuries of craft in its latest Single Malt release. The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 12
boasts exceptional depths of sherry cask maturation, carrying forth the legacy of distillery founder James Allardice since 1826, marrying Highland spirit to Spanish oak.

This twelfth batch of The GlenDronach Cask Strength is a richly sherried Highland Single Malt, matured slowly in fine Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía in Spain. Master Blender, Rachel Barrie, intricately composes each batch for the deepest colour; the richest, most full-bodied complexity; and an enduring, elegant finish. This rare dedication, founded on almost two centuries of knowledge, is embodied in every expression of The GlenDronach.

Rachel commented: “The GlenDronach Cask Strength offers connoisseurs a deep insight into the distillery’s signature character, by bottling at the whisky’s natural cask strength, as was the custom before the turn of the 20th Century. “Add a drop or two of water to open up the liquid and reveal a cornucopia of flavours; from rich mocha to raisin-filled fruit-cake and indulgent crème brûlée. Such is the reward of our twelfth batch of The GlenDronach Cask Strength, a richly sherried Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in fine Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks.”

As with all expressions of The GlenDronach, all of the natural colour is drawn from slow maturation in Spanish oak casks.

Official tasting notes

• Colour: Deep bronze.
• Nose: Rich mocha and creamy cappuccino meld with orange and raisin-filled fruit cake, cherry liqueur and sandalwood.
• Palate: A voluptuous swathe of velvety spice reveals dark chocolate tiramisu topped with flamed Seville orange peel, toasted almond and crystallised ginger.
• Finish: The lingering finale of amaretto-laced mocha, morello cherry and sultana on indulgent caramelised crème brûlée.

What I say

Batch 12 of Glendronach’s Cask Strength bottling delivered at 58.2% ABV again produced from PX and Oloroso matured stock.

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