Glendronach 15 Years Old (Moscatel Finish)

Glendronach from the distillery, a 15 year old, at 46%, 3240 bottles in all. Glendronach is a rich Highland malt from the Valley of Forgue, near Huntly. It was bought in 1920 by Charles Grant, a son of the founder of Glenfiddich. Its whisky is now overseen by the master blender Dr Rachel Barrie. 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 worked unhurried through the stillhouse, for the rich, sherried make Glendronach is known for. Ex-Bourbon matured, it was given a finish in a Moscatel cask for a final sweetness. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters and a darker chocolate, fig and date depth. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Active first fill sherry wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

At 46% it is smooth and rich. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, with a grapey, floral sweetness from the cask. It is full and fruity, the spirit carrying the cask. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is the sherry led malt of Forgue.