Glendronach 32 Years Old 1978 Cask #1067

A 32 year old Glendronach, a distillery bottling, from 1978, cask 1067, at 53.3%, 419 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt known for its heavy Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry maturation. Its whisky is now overseen by the master blender Dr Rachel Barrie. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit. Its water is the Dronac Burn, which also gave the distillery its name.

The spirit was run slowly off the spirit still, for a weighty, full spirit the sherry casks then deepen. It was fully matured in an Oloroso sherry puncheon, the wood deep in the rich spirit. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending maple and dried fig as beeswax and old leather linger. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At a hearty 53.3% it carries real weight. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. A deep finish ends on dried fruit and a dark chocolate. This is Glendronach's deep, fruity Highland style.