Glendronach 11 Years Old 2004 Cask #5520

A distillery release of Glendronach, an 11 year old, from 2004, cask 5520, at 58.3%. Glendronach is a richly sherried Highland single malt from the Valley of Forgue, built on full bodied spirit and Spanish oak. It was bought in 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company, who rebuilt it as a heavily sherried single malt.

The spirit was drawn from a thick, heavy wash, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. It was matured in an Oloroso sherry puncheon, the wood working deep into the malt. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the rich spirit growing rounder and darker. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

Bottled at a cask strength 58.3%, it is deep and concentrated. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a full bodied Highland single malt of real richness.