Glendronach 15 Years Old (Tawny Port Finish)

Glendronach from the distillery, a 15 year old, at 46%. 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. Its whisky is now overseen by the master blender Dr Rachel Barrie.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. After ex-Bourbon maturation it was finished in a Tawny Port cask, the wine working into the spirit. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the orchard notes turning to raisin, fig and a dark chocolate. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body. 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 an approachable 46% it is soft and fruity. A deep, dark sweetness, with a nutty, raisined red fruit from the cask. A dark chocolate and a soft oak give it weight. The close is rich and dark, fruit over a warm spice. This is a full bodied Highland single malt of real richness.