Glendronach 27 Years Old 1990

A 27 year old Glendronach, a distillery bottling, from 1990, cask 1014, at 50.9%, 641 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt known for its heavy Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry maturation. It was the last distillery in Scotland to fire its stills with coal, converting to steam only in 2005. It joined William Teacher and Sons in 1960 and became a core malt of the Teacher's blend.

Run slowly off the spirit still, giving a deep, full bodied Highland spirit. Maturation came in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon, layered over the full Glendronach make. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site.

At 50.9%, undiluted, it is dark and full. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The body is full and rich, the fruit deep and dark. A long finish carries raisin, chocolate and a treacle. This is a full bodied Highland single malt of real richness.