Glendronach 12 Years Old (Sauternes Cask Finish)

A distillery release of Glendronach, a 12 year old, at 46%. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, revived from 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company. It joined William Teacher and Sons in 1960 and became a core malt of the Teacher's blend.

The spirit was run slowly off the spirit still, for a weighty, full spirit the sherry casks then deepen. It was matured in ex-Bourbon oak and finished in a Sauternes cask, a layer of Sauternes over the bourbon vanilla. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the rich spirit growing rounder and darker. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body. Active first fill sherry wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow and sweet. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with honeyed apricot and a candied citrus from the cask. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. The close is rich and dark, fruit over a warm spice. This is the sherry led malt of Forgue.