Glendronach 18 Years Old 1995 Cask #3025

This official Glendronach, an 18 year old, from 1995, cask 3025, at 51.1%, 650 bottles in all. Glendronach is a rich Highland malt from the Valley of Forgue, near Huntly. It passed to Brown Forman, owner of Jack Daniel's, in 2016 as part of a 285 million pound deal. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands.

The spirit was run slowly off the spirit still, for a weighty, full spirit the sherry casks then deepen. It was matured in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon, the wood working deep into the malt. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters and a darker chocolate, fig and date depth. 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. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

Bottled at a cask strength 51.1%, it is deep and concentrated. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. A baked apple and a warm cinnamon lift the middle. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is Glendronach's deep, fruity Highland style.