Glendronach 18 Years Old 1991 Cask #2512

Glendronach from the distillery, an 18 year old, from 1991, cask 2512, at 51.9%, 760 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, revived from 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company. Its water is the Dronac Burn, which also gave the distillery its name. 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 a weighty, full spirit the sherry casks then deepen. Maturation came in an Oloroso sherry butt, layered over the full Glendronach make. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make.

At its natural 51.9% it is rich and chewy. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with dried fruit, fig and walnut 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 rich Highland malt of dried fruit and chocolate.