Glendronach 25 Years Old 1992 Cask #89

A 25 year old Glendronach, a distillery bottling, from 1992, cask 89, at 57%, 595 bottles in all. Glendronach is a richly sherried Highland single malt from the Valley of Forgue, built on full bodied spirit and Spanish oak. It was the last distillery in Scotland to fire its stills with coal, converting to steam only in 2005. It was bought in 1920 by Charles Grant, a son of the founder of Glenfiddich. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit.

It was run slowly off the spirit still, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. Maturation came in an Oloroso sherry butt, layered over the full Glendronach make. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At a natural 57% it is full and rich. A rich, sherried sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The body is full and rich, the fruit deep and dark. A deep finish ends on dried fruit and a dark chocolate. This is a Highland single malt of real standing.