Glendronach 24 Years Old 1993 Cask #403

This official Glendronach, a 24 year old, from 1993, cask 403, at 52.3%, 667 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, founded in 1826 near Huntly in Aberdeenshire. It was mothballed in 1996 and lay silent until production resumed in 2002. It was the last distillery in Scotland to fire its stills with coal, converting to steam only in 2005.

It was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, shaping a rich Highland body with real weight. It was fully matured in an Oloroso sherry butt, the wood deep in the rich spirit. In the oxidative, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to dried fruit, dark chocolate and a waxy, resinous depth. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. 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.

At a natural 52.3% it is full and rich. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The body is full and rich, the fruit deep and dark. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a Highland single malt of real standing.