Glendronach 11 Years Old 2003 Cask #691

An 11 year old Glendronach, a distillery bottling, from 2003, cask 691, at 54.5%, 684 bottles in all. Glendronach is a richly sherried Highland single malt from the Valley of Forgue, built on full bodied spirit and Spanish oak. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit. It joined William Teacher and Sons in 1960 and became a core malt of the Teacher's blend.

The spirit was drawn from a thick, heavy wash, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. It was fully matured in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon, the wood deep in the rich spirit. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the orchard notes deepening to sultana, date and chocolate. Active first fill sherry wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register.

At 54.5%, undiluted, it is dark and full. A deep, dark sweetness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. A baked apple and a warm cinnamon lift the middle. It finishes long, full and fruity. This is a dark, fruity Highland single malt.