Glendronach 16 Years Old (Platinum)

Glendronach from the distillery, a 16 year old, at 48%. Glendronach is a deep, dark Highland malt of dried fruit, chocolate and spice. Its water is the Dronac Burn, which also gave the distillery its name. It was bought in 1920 by Charles Grant, a son of the founder of Glenfiddich. 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. It was fully matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood deep in the rich spirit. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the orchard notes turning to raisin, fig and a dark chocolate. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register.

At a natural 48% it is full and rich. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A dark chocolate and a soft oak give it weight. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a rich Highland malt of dried fruit and chocolate.