Glendronach 11 Years Old 2006

Glendronach from the distillery, an 11 year old, from 2006, cask 1979, at 57.2%, 679 bottles in all. Glendronach is a deep, dark Highland malt of dried fruit, chocolate and spice. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands. It was mothballed in 1996 and lay silent until production resumed in 2002. It was bought in 1920 by Charles Grant, a son of the founder of Glenfiddich.

Run slowly off the spirit still, for a weighty, full spirit the sherry casks then deepen. It was fully matured in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon, the wood deep in the rich spirit. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the orchard notes deepening to sultana, date and chocolate. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make.

At 57.2%, undiluted, it is dark and full. Fig, walnut and a bittersweet chocolate, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. A long finish carries raisin, chocolate and a treacle. This is a full bodied Highland single malt of real richness.