Glendronach 19 Years Old 1995 Cask #3804

This official Glendronach, a 19 year old, from 1995, cask 3804, at 54.2%, 694 bottles in all. Glendronach is a deep, dark Highland malt of dried fruit, chocolate and spice. It joined William Teacher and Sons in 1960 and became a core malt of the Teacher's blend.

The spirit was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, shaping a rich Highland body with real weight. A Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the orchard notes turning to raisin, fig and a dark chocolate. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years. Active first fill sherry wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At a hearty 54.2% it carries real weight. Fig, walnut and a bittersweet chocolate, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. It is full and fruity, the spirit carrying the cask. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a Highland single malt of real standing.