Glendronach 18 Years Old 1995 Cask #5958

A distillery release of Glendronach, an 18 year old, from 1995, cask 5958, at 54%, 714 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt known for its heavy Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry maturation. It was bought in 1920 by Charles Grant, a son of the founder of Glenfiddich. The distillery was an early champion of sherry cask maturation, its malt charming Edinburgh society from the start.

It was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a weighty make built to take active Spanish oak. A Port pipe held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters and a darker chocolate, fig and date depth. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At a hearty 54% it carries real weight. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. A baked apple and a warm cinnamon lift the middle. The finish is rounded, dark and spiced. This is a Highland single malt of real standing.