Glendronach 11 Years Old 2004 Cask #5524

A distillery release of Glendronach, an 11 year old, from 2004, cask 5524, at 57.8%, 704 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, founded in 1826 near Huntly in Aberdeenshire. It was the last distillery in Scotland to fire its stills with coal, converting to steam only in 2005. The distillery was an early champion of sherry cask maturation, its malt charming Edinburgh society from the start.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a weighty, full spirit the sherry casks then deepen. 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. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At 57.8%, undiluted, it is dark and full. Fig, walnut and a bittersweet chocolate, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Fig, honey and a dark chocolate fill the middle. A long finish carries raisin, chocolate and a treacle. This is Glendronach's deep, fruity Highland style.