Glendronach

glendronach-distillery

the-glendronach-12-year-old-whisky

History The distillery was founded in 1826 by James Allardes (referred to often as Allardice) as the second distillery to apply for a licence to legally produce whisky under the Excise Act of 1823, which passed three years earlier and which allowed for the distilling of Whisky in Scotland. Other sources credit a consortium of farmers and businessmen for the foundation of the distillery though this could include Allardes. The Glendronach distillery was purchased by Teachers and Sons Ltd around 1960 who increased the number of stills from two to six. In 1996 the distillery was mothballed and reopened again in 2001 by Allied Distillers Limited. In 2006 the distillery passed into the hands of Chivas Brothers Ltd (part of the Pernod Ricard group) and in 2008 it was sold to the BenRiach Distillery Company. In 2016 it was sold to Brown-Forman. Other notable owners include Walter Scott, who acquired it in 1881 and Charles Grant, son of the founder of the Glenfiddich distillery, in 1920. The distillery draws its water from the Dronac burn within the distillery grounds. It has its own floor maltings and two wash stills in addition to two spirit stills. The distillery is protected as a category B listed building.

The Whiskyphiles tasting notes

Official Bottling
  • GD-Batch-18-2009-Cask-2091-INFRONT Glendronach 10 Years Old 2009 PX Puncheon 2091 (2021) - The Glendronach 10 Years Old 2009 PX Puncheon #2091 (61.9%, OB, Batch 18, 692 Bottles, 2020) ABV: 61.9%Age: 10 Years OldBottling: OB, Single Cask Releases Batch 18Category: Highland single malt scotch whiskyCost: […]
  • glendronach-forgue-10-year-old Glendronach 10 Years Old Forgue (2018) - The GlenDronach 10 Years Old Forgue whisky review: A little fatty/buttery and youthful spirit in here but also plenty of sherry influence, lighter and brighter fruits initially then drier and spicier oak wood. Sweet then sour, for a 10 year old this has some diversity over the palate, again thanks in part to the blatant usage of good old Sherry casks on this GlenDronach. 83/100
  • The GlenDronach 10 Year Old Port Wood Glendronach 10 Years Old Port Wood (2019) - The GlenDronach Port Wood whisky review: Not too sweet and not to sharp, very well balanced. Syrupy and smooth textured with a good weight from GlenDronach's malty backbone, this feels perfectly constructed. 84/100
  • GlenDronach 11 Years Old 2003 Cask 5691 (2015) - GlenDronach 11 Years Old 2003 Cask 5691 (54.4%, The Green Welly Stop 50th, 2014) Highland single malt scotch whisky 54.4% ABV, £49.95 Score: 90/100 What they say: Distilled at the GlenDronach distillery […]
  • GlenDronach 11 Years Old PX Puncheon Cask#1979 Glendronach 11 Years Old 2006 PX Puncheon 1979 (2018) - A delicious young PX matured GlenDronach, pushes the boundaries at times but has such an abundant range and depth of flavour carried by a youthful vibrancy. 86/100
  • the-glendronach-12-year-old-whisky Glendronach 12 Years Old Original (2014) - GlenDronach 12 Year Old Original (43%, OB, 2013) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: GlenDronach Distillery Bottling: Benriach Distillery Company ABV: 43% Cost: £39.43 What they say: This superb richly sherried […]
  • the-glendronach-12-year-old-whisky Glendronach 12 Years Old Original (2018) - The GlenDronach 12 Years Old Original whisky review: Lovely sherried GlenDronach, drier and a little spicier in places than I remember, either my palate has changed or I feel there is a lot more PX influence, thus less Oloroso in the balance of flavours? Still a great entry-level whisky from GlenDronach and worthy of a place on the shelf of any whiskyphile partial to a sherried dram. 83/100
  • glendronach-13-year-old-2003-cask-4034-whisky Glendronach 13 Years Old 2003 Cask 4034 (2016) - The GlenDronach 13 Year Old 2003 Cask #4034 (52.5%, OB, Batch 14, 2016) Whisky Review Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: GlenDronach Distillery Bottling: Benriach Distillery Company ABV: 52.5% Cost: £74.29 […]
  • glendronach-13-years-old-cask713-2003-gwse Glendronach 13 Years Old 2003 Cask 713 (2016) - The GlenDronach 13 Years Old 2003 Cask #713 (56.5%, The Green Welly Stop, 670 Bottles, 2016) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: GlenDronach Distillery Bottling: Exclusive for The Green Welly Stop […]
  • glendronach-14-year-old-2002-cask-1504-whisky Glendronach 14 Years Old 2002 Cask 1504 (2016) - The GlenDronach 14 Year Old 2002 Cask #1504 (55.5%, OB, 674 Bottles, 2016) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: GlenDronach Distillery Bottling: Benriach Distillery Company ABV: 55.5% Cost: £81.16 What they […]
  • the-glendronach-15-year-old-revival-whisky Glendronach 15 Years Old Revival (2014) - GlenDronach 15 Years Old Revival (46%, OB, 2013) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: GlenDronach Distillery Bottling: Benriach Distillery Company ABV: 46% Cost: £45 What they say: Renowned amongst many whisky […]
  • the-glendronach-15-year-old-revival-whisky Glendronach 15 Years Old Revival (2018) - The GlenDronach 15 Years Old Revival whisky review: A classic GlenDronach on the nose but quite bitter on the palate with influences of pine, coffee, grinds plenty of tannins and woody spice. I don't know why but I am increasingly under the impression that much more PX cask usage is shifting the balance away from Oloroso sweet and fruity influences. Looking back I have scored this 15 marginally higher than the last. 85/100
  • GLENDRONACH-BOYNSMILL-16YO Glendronach 16 Years Old Boynsmill (2019) - The GlenDronach 16 Years Old Boynsmill whisky review: Intensely nutty and gently spiced with undertones of rich dark fruits - delicious! 85/100
  • the-glendronach-18-year-old-allardice-whisky Glendronach 18 Years Old Allardice (2014) - GlenDronach 18 Year Old Allardice (46%, OB, 2013) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: GlenDronach Distillery Bottling: Benriach Distillery Company ABV: 46% Cost: £77.40 What they say: The famous GlenDronach 18 […]
  • Glendronach 18 Years Old Marsala Cask Finish (2015) - GlenDronach 18 Years Old Marsala Cask Finish (46%, OB, 2015) Speyside single malt scotch whisky 46% ABV, £71.95 for 70cl from Royal Mile Whiskies Score: 89/100 What they say: Glendronach released a […]
  • glendronach-93-single-cask-33-AW-exclusive-520 GlenDronach 20 Years Old 1993 Cask 33 (2013) - GlenDronach 20 Years Old 1993 Single Cask 33 (59.1%, Abbey Whisky, Oloroso Sherry Butt, 592 bottles, 2013) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: GlenDronach Distillery Bottling: Benriach Distillery Company, for Abbey Whisky ABV: 49.2% […]
  • glendronach-single-cask-3400-1994-20-year-old-whisky-abbey-whisky Glendronach 20 Years Old 1994 PX Puncheon 3400 (2017) - The GlenDronach 20 Years Old 1994 Cask #3400 (54.8%, Abbey Whisky, 672 Bottles, 2014) Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky Origin: Glendronach Distillery Bottling: Abbey Whisky; Cask 3400 ABV: 54.8% Cost: out […]
  • GlenDronach 22 Years Old 1995 PX Puncheon Cask #5476 Glendronach 22 Years Old 1995 PX Puncheon 3311 (2018) - A Calvados-soaked fruit and walnut cake of a dram, superb! 88/100
  • glendronach-23-year-old-1993-cask-40-whisky Glendronach 23 Years Old 1993 Oloroso Butt 40 (2017) - The GlenDronach 23 Years Old 1993 Cask #40 (58.5%, OB, Batch 13, 384 Bottles, 2016) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: GlenDronach Distillery Bottling: Benriach Distillery Company ABV: 58.5% Cost: £147.95 […]
  • GD-Batch17-1995-Cask-3040-INFRONT Glendronach 23 Years Old 1995 PX Puncheon 3040 (2019) - The GlenDronach 23 Years Old 1995 PX Puncheon #3040 whisky review: A fantastic PX matured expression from GlenDronach, rich, malty and full-bodied with polished antique oak, spice and dark fruits. It is clear to see where the fame and appetite for these single cask batch releases arises. 87/100
  • glendronach-24-year-old-1991-cask-2683-whisky Glendronach 24 Years Old 1991 Oloroso Sherry Butt 2683 (2016) - The GlenDronach 24 Years Old 1991 Cask #2683 (49.2%, OB, Batch 14, 456 Bottles, 2016) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: GlenDronach Distillery Bottling: Benriach Distillery Company ABV: 49.2% Cost: £153.81 […]
  • GlenDronach Grandeur Batch 9 Glendronach 24 Years Old Grandeur Batch 9 (2018) - A medley of Sherry-influenced flavours delivers a rich and varied experience. Plenty of depth and complexity but slightly too dark, bitter and spiced in the nose and finish for my own personal taste. 92/100
  • Glendronach-1993-Master-Vintage-Bottle Glendronach 25 Years Old 1993 Master Vintage (2019) - The GlenDronach Master Vintage 1993 25 Years Old whisky review: A little thinner and woodier than I hoped for/expected. A classic heavy sherry GlenDronach but quite a bit of spirit and old wood on display here too - quite distinct from some of the single cask releases of the same (or many other) vintages. Delivered at 48.2%, this is a little lower than many of the single casks of this age and I'm unsure if this is batch/marrying strength or reduced - feels reduced, which is a shame as otherwise this is a good whisky. 87/100
  • GD-Batch17-1993-Cask-416-INFRONT Glendronach 25 Years Old 1993 Oloroso Butt 416 (2019) - The GlenDronach 25 Years Old 1993 Oloroso Butt #416 whisky review: A much fruitier and livelier expression, a real rich and red fruit medley. The end result is a much better balance of fruit to woody elements. A crisp and almost fresh red apple note throughout also. My favourite of the trio. 88/100
  • GD-Batch17-1992-Cask-5896-INFRONT Glendronach 26 Years Old 1992 Port Pipe 5896 (2019) - The GlenDronach 26 Years Old 1992 Port Pipe #5896 whisky review: On reflection perhaps a little underwhelming, I had high hopes for this port matured expression but in the end it lacked a little something that sherry maturation delivers so well for GlenDronach. Undoubtedly a very well constructed whisky, not overly sweet and plenty of woody influence as you would expect after 26 years. A great comparator and on a par with the other two expressions. 87/100
  • GD-Batch-18-1992-Cask-5897-INFRONT Glendronach 27 Years Old 1992 Port Pipe 5897 (2021) - Full of dark chocolate, rose and some well-integrated fruit flavours such as plum and fig, surprisingly well-balanced and not too sweet for a port maturation, with woody and spirit influences presented to perfection. 91/100
  • Grandeur Batch 10 Glendronach 27 Years Old Grandeur (2019) - The GlenDronach 27 Years Old Grandeur Batch 10 whisky review: A masterful GlenDronach expression full of rich dark fruits balanced against bitter chocolate and coffee. Hugely drinkable at 50.1% ABV, this goes down far too easily! Captures the essence of what GlenDronach is about right now and easily matches the pinnacle of their single cask releases. 93/100
  • GlenDronach 28 Years Old 1989 PX Puncheon Cask #5476 Glendronach 28 Years Old 1989 PX Puncheon 5476 (2018) - 28 Years in a PX sherry puncheon for this GlenDronach has produced a deliciously dark and juicy fruit bomb. 93/100
  • Glendronach Cask Strength Batch #3 Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 3 (2014) - Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 3 (54.9%, OB, 2013) 54.9% ABV, £52 for 70cl Score: 84/100 What they say: A classic GlenDronach exactly as we made it – cask strength, non chill filtered […]
  • the-glendronach-cask-strength-whisky Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 7 (2018) - GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 7 whisky review: Surprisingly light in colour or full in flavour, I can't really decide which. This is packed with sharp and earthy berry fruits, a real hedgerow of foraged fruit flavours, backed by dark chocolate, toffee and nut. Perhaps just missing a little of the oak wood the GlenDronach single cask series display so well. Another excellent GlenDronach and this one is very affordable and readily available too! 85/100
  • GD Batch 8 infront Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 8 (2019) - The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 8 Whisky Review: Another great Cask Strength expression from GlenDronach, perhaps erring on the side of PX casks in this mixture which makes it all the more appealing to me. 86/100
  • Glendronach-cask-strength-Batch-9 Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 9 (2021) - 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. 85/100
  • GlenDronach Peated Port Wood Glendronach Peated Port Wood (2017) - Peaty whisky is often best young when it still has some liveliness and vigour, the peat and port influences appear to have been brought into balance and no more. Fans of sweet & peat, like other port matured peaty expressions, will love this. 86/100
  • P128-GD-TRAD-PEATED-BOTTLE-INFRONT Glendronach Traditionally Peated (2019) - The GlenDronach Traditionally Peated Whisky Review: This is sweet first from the cask maturations then a dry peat smoke emerges, these interchange on the palate regularly during the course of this dram giving it a wonderful complexity as varying levels of sweetness and smoke combine. This would make a great introduction to heavy (but non-isaly/overtly phenolic) smoke influenced whisky. I really like this one! 85/100
Independent Bottling
Abbey Whisky
  • glendronach-93-single-cask-33-AW-exclusive-520 GlenDronach 20 Years Old 1993 Cask 33 (2013) - GlenDronach 20 Years Old 1993 Single Cask 33 (59.1%, Abbey Whisky, Oloroso Sherry Butt, 592 bottles, 2013) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: GlenDronach Distillery Bottling: Benriach Distillery Company, for Abbey Whisky ABV: 49.2% […]
  • glendronach-single-cask-3400-1994-20-year-old-whisky-abbey-whisky Glendronach 20 Years Old 1994 PX Puncheon 3400 (2017) - The GlenDronach 20 Years Old 1994 Cask #3400 (54.8%, Abbey Whisky, 672 Bottles, 2014) Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky Origin: Glendronach Distillery Bottling: Abbey Whisky; Cask 3400 ABV: 54.8% Cost: out […]
Cadenhead
  • Glendronach 23 Years Old 1990 Authentic Collection (2014) - Glendronach 23 Years Old 1990 Authentic Collection (53.9%, Cadenheads, Bourbon HH, 162 Bottles, 2013) 53.9% ABV, ~£80 for 70cl Score: 84/100 What they say: Single malt whisky from the Highlands of Scotland […]
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
  • SMWS 96.8 Relaxing in an alpine meadow SMWS 96.8 Relaxing in an alpine meadow (2015) - GlenDronach 9 Years Old 2006 96.8 Relaxing in an alpine meadow (58.3%, SMWS, Refill Barrel, 172 Bottles, 2015) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: GlenDronach Distillery Bottling: Scotch Malt Whisky Society […]
The Green Welly Stop