Glendronach 16 Years Old (Boynsmill)

This official Glendronach, a 16 year old, at 46%. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, founded in 1826 near Huntly in Aberdeenshire. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit. It was mothballed in 1996 and lay silent until production resumed in 2002. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands. It passed to Brown Forman, owner of Jack Daniel's, in 2016 as part of a 285 million pound deal.

It was distilled in copper pot stills, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. Maturation ran across Pedro Ximenez, Oloroso and Port casks, layered over the Glendronach spirit. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body.

At 46% it is rich, fruity and deep. Fig, walnut and a bittersweet chocolate, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. A deep finish ends on dried fruit and a dark chocolate. This is a deep, sherried Highland single malt.