Glendronach 12 Years Old 2004 Cask #5521

This official Glendronach, a 12 year old, from 2004, cask 5521, at 57.3%, 664 bottles in all. Glendronach is a rich Highland malt from the Valley of Forgue, near Huntly. The distillery was an early champion of sherry cask maturation, its malt charming Edinburgh society from the start. It was the last distillery in Scotland to fire its stills with coal, converting to steam only in 2005.

Drawn from a thick, heavy wash, for the rich, sherried make Glendronach is known for. Ex-Bourbon matured, it was given a finish in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon for a final sweetness. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin rounding out as esters lend riper orchard fruit and a chocolate depth. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At a natural 57.3% it is full and rich. A deep, dark sweetness, 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 Glendronach's deep, fruity Highland style.