Glendronach 20 Years Old 1995 Cask #2899

A 20 year old Glendronach, a distillery bottling, from 1995, cask 2899, at 53.9%, 710 bottles in all. Glendronach is a deep, dark Highland malt of dried fruit, chocolate and spice. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands. It was bought in 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company, who rebuilt it as a heavily sherried single malt.

Distilled to a rich, generous cut, shaping a rich Highland body with real weight. An Oloroso 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. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At a hearty 53.9% it carries real weight. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a rich Highland malt of dried fruit and chocolate.