Glendronach 25 Years Old 1993 Cask #7432

Glendronach from the distillery, a 25 year old, from 1993, cask 7432, at 54.2%, 703 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, revived from 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company. The distillery was an early champion of sherry cask maturation, its malt charming Edinburgh society from the start. Its water is the Dronac Burn, which also gave the distillery its name. It was the last distillery in Scotland to fire its stills with coal, converting to steam only in 2005. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, for the rich, sherried make Glendronach is known for. It was fully matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood deep in the rich spirit. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At a natural 54.2% it is full and rich. A rich, sherried sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a full bodied Highland single malt of real richness.