Glendronach Port Wood

A distillery release of Glendronach, at 46%. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, founded in 1826 near Huntly in Aberdeenshire. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit. It joined William Teacher and Sons in 1960 and became a core malt of the Teacher's blend.

The spirit was drawn from a thick, heavy wash, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. It was matured in ex-Bourbon oak and finished in a Port pipe, a layer of Port over the bourbon vanilla. Without an age statement, a dark sugar and dried fruit point to good years in cask. Active first fill sherry wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body.

Bottled at 46%, it is rounded and full. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. A dark chocolate and a soft oak give it weight. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a dark, fruity Highland single malt.