Glendronach 11 Years Old 1990 Cask #573 (Dun Eideann)

This Glendronach was bottled by Dun Eideann, an 11 year old, distilled in 1990, from cask 573, at 46%, one of 372 bottles. Glendronach is a richly sherried Highland single malt from the Valley of Forgue, built on full bodied spirit and Spanish oak. It was mothballed in 1996 and lay silent until production resumed in 2002. It was bought in 1920 by Charles Grant, a son of the founder of Glenfiddich. It was bought in 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company, who rebuilt it as a heavily sherried single malt.

The spirit was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, shaping a rich Highland body with real weight. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the full character to the fore. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin rounding out as esters lend riper orchard fruit and a chocolate depth. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At 46% it is rich, fruity and deep. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, lifted by a sweet oak. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. A deep finish ends on dried fruit and a dark chocolate. This is a full bodied Highland single malt of real richness.