Glendronach 13 Years Old 2003 Cask #1751

A distillery release of Glendronach, a 13 year old, from 2003, cask 1751, at 53.9%, 250 bottles in all. Glendronach is a rich Highland malt from the Valley of Forgue, near Huntly. It joined William Teacher and Sons in 1960 and became a core malt of the Teacher's blend.

It was run slowly off the spirit still, shaping a rich Highland body with real weight. A Virgin Oak hogshead held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the orchard notes deepening to sultana, date and chocolate. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body. 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. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At 53.9%, undiluted, it is dark and full. A rich, sherried sweetness, with a vanilla, coconut and a sweet spice from the cask. The body is full and rich, the fruit deep and dark. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a Highland single malt of real standing.