Glendronach 12 Years Old (Dumpy Green Bottle)

Glendronach from the distillery, a 12 year old, at 40%. Glendronach is a rich Highland malt from the Valley of Forgue, near Huntly. 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. It was the last distillery in Scotland to fire its stills with coal, converting to steam only in 2005.

It was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, giving a deep, full bodied Highland spirit. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak gentle behind the spirit. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the orchard notes deepening to sultana, date and chocolate. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make. 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. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

Bottled at 40%, it is rounded and full. A deep, dark sweetness, lifted by a sweet oak. A dark chocolate and a soft oak give it weight. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a richly sherried Highland single malt.