Glendronach 11 Years Old 2003 Cask #5552

A distillery release of Glendronach, an 11 year old, from 2003, cask 5552, at 56.6%, 638 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, revived from 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company. 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.

Drawn from a thick, heavy wash, for a weighty make built to take active Spanish oak. An Oloroso sherry butt held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the rich spirit growing rounder and darker. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At a natural 56.6% it is full and rich. A deep, dark sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A dark chocolate and a soft oak give it weight. The close is rich and dark, fruit over a warm spice. This is the sherry led malt of Forgue.