Glendronach 26 Years Old 1992 Cask #8316 (LMDW)

This Glendronach was bottled by La Maison du Whisky, a 26 year old, distilled in 1992, from cask 8316, at 51.8%, bottled for a whisky festival. Glendronach is a deep, dark Highland malt of dried fruit, chocolate and spice. It was the last distillery in Scotland to fire its stills with coal, converting to steam only in 2005. It was bought in 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company, who rebuilt it as a heavily sherried single malt. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit.

It was drawn from a thick, heavy wash, for a weighty, full spirit the sherry casks then deepen. It was matured in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon, the wood working deep into the malt. 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.

At a hearty 51.8% it carries real weight. Fig, walnut and a bittersweet chocolate, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. A baked apple and a warm cinnamon lift the middle. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is a rich Highland malt of dried fruit and chocolate.