Glendronach 19 Years Old 1994 Cask #1098

This official Glendronach, a 19 year old, from 1994, cask 1098, at 56.3%, 690 bottles in all. Glendronach is a rich Highland malt from the Valley of Forgue, near Huntly. It was bought in 1920 by Charles Grant, a son of the founder of Glenfiddich. It joined William Teacher and Sons in 1960 and became a core malt of the Teacher's blend. 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 distilled in copper pot stills, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. It was fully matured in an Oloroso sherry butt, 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. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site. Active first fill sherry wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt.

At 56.3%, undiluted, it is dark and full. A deep, dark sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. It is full and fruity, the spirit carrying the cask. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is the sherry led malt of Forgue.