Glendronach 19 Years Old 1995 Cask #4943

A 19 year old Glendronach, a distillery bottling, from 1995, cask 4943, at 56.9%, 633 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, long a blending malt and now a sherry led name in its own right. It was bought in 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company, who rebuilt it as a heavily sherried single malt. Its whisky is now overseen by the master blender Dr Rachel Barrie. It was mothballed in 1996 and lay silent until production resumed in 2002.

The spirit was distilled in copper pot stills, giving a deep, full bodied Highland spirit. It was matured in an Oloroso sherry puncheon, the wood working deep into the malt. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters and a darker chocolate, fig and date depth. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body.

At 56.9%, undiluted, it is dark and full. A deep, dark sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a full bodied Highland single malt of real richness.