Glendronach 19 Years Old 1995 Cask #3326

Glendronach from the distillery, a 19 year old, from 1995, cask 3326, at 55%, 661 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt whose founder was an early champion of sherry cask maturation. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit.

It was distilled to a rich, generous cut, for the rich, sherried make Glendronach is known for. It was matured in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon, the wood working deep into the malt. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At 55%, undiluted, it is dark and full. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a dark, fruity Highland single malt.