Glendronach 11 Years Old 2003 Cask #692

This official Glendronach, an 11 year old, from 2003, cask 692, at 54.1%, 696 bottles in all. Glendronach is a rich Highland malt from the Valley of Forgue, near Huntly. It was bought in 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company, who rebuilt it as a heavily sherried single malt. It was the last distillery in Scotland to fire its stills with coal, converting to steam only in 2005. It was mothballed in 1996 and lay silent until production resumed in 2002. Its whisky is now overseen by the master blender Dr Rachel Barrie.

It was distilled to a rich, generous cut, for a weighty make built to take active Spanish oak. Maturation came in a Pedro Ximenez cask, layered over the full Glendronach make. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the orchard notes deepening to sultana, date and chocolate. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At 54.1%, undiluted, it is dark and full. Fig, walnut and a bittersweet chocolate, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. It finishes long, full and fruity. This is a rich Highland malt of dried fruit and chocolate.