Glendronach 20 Years Old 1995 Cask #3805

This official Glendronach, a 20 year old, from 1995, cask 3805, at 54.4%, 662 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, founded in 1826 near Huntly in Aberdeenshire. It passed to Brown Forman, owner of Jack Daniel's, in 2016 as part of a 285 million pound deal. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit.

It was run slowly off the spirit still, for a weighty make built to take active Spanish oak. A Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make.

At 54.4%, undiluted, it is dark and full. A rich, sherried sweetness, 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 Highland single malt of real standing.