Glendronach 12 Years Old 2007 Cask #7674

Glendronach from the distillery, a 12 year old, from 2007, cask 7674, at 60.2%, 655 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, revived from 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company. It was mothballed in 1996 and lay silent until production resumed in 2002. It was bought in 1920 by Charles Grant, a son of the founder of Glenfiddich. It was founded in 1826 by James Allardice, said to be the second man in Scotland to take a licence after the Excise Act of 1823.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. A Pedro Ximenez cask held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. 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. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At a hearty 60.2% it carries real weight. A deep, dark sweetness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a dark, fruity Highland single malt.