Glendronach 21 Years Old 1995 Cask #3048

A distillery release of Glendronach, a 21 year old, from 1995, cask 3048, at 49.4%, 630 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt whose founder was an early champion of sherry cask maturation. It was the last distillery in Scotland to fire its stills with coal, converting to steam only in 2005. It was mothballed in 1996 and lay silent until production resumed in 2002.

The spirit was distilled in copper pot stills, 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. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register.

At 49.4%, undiluted, it is dark and full. A rich, sherried sweetness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. It finishes long, full and fruity. This is a richly sherried Highland single malt.