Glendronach 27 Years Old 1993 Cask #7276

A 27 year old Glendronach, a distillery bottling, from 1993, cask 7276, at 53.7%, 699 bottles in all. Glendronach is a deep, dark Highland malt of dried fruit, chocolate and spice. Its whisky is now overseen by the master blender Dr Rachel Barrie. It was mothballed in 1996 and lay silent until production resumed in 2002. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for the rich, sherried make Glendronach is known for. Maturation came in an Oloroso sherry puncheon, layered over the full Glendronach make. In the oxidative, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to dried fruit, dark chocolate and a waxy, resinous depth. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make.

Bottled at a cask strength 53.7%, it is deep and concentrated. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. The finish is rounded, dark and spiced. This is a dark, fruity Highland single malt.