Glendronach 11 Years Old 2004 Cask #507

This official Glendronach, an 11 year old, from 2004, cask 507, at 56.1%, 247 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, long a blending malt and now a sherry led name in its own right. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands. The distillery was an early champion of sherry cask maturation, its malt charming Edinburgh society from the start.

The spirit was run slowly off the spirit still, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. It was fully matured in a Virgin Oak hogshead, the wood deep in the rich spirit. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin rounding out as esters lend riper orchard fruit and a chocolate depth. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At a hearty 56.1% it carries real weight. A rich, sherried sweetness, with a vanilla, coconut and a sweet spice from the cask. A dark chocolate and a soft oak give it weight. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is Glendronach's deep, fruity Highland style.