Glendronach 20 Years Old 1995 Cask #444

Glendronach from the distillery, a 20 year old, from 1995, cask 444, at 52%, 691 bottles in all. Glendronach is a rich Highland malt from the Valley of Forgue, near Huntly. It joined William Teacher and Sons in 1960 and became a core malt of the Teacher's blend.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a weighty, full spirit the sherry casks then deepen. It was fully matured in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon, the wood deep in the rich spirit. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the orchard notes turning to raisin, fig and a dark chocolate. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register. 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 52%, undiluted, it is dark and full. Fig, walnut and a bittersweet chocolate, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Fig, honey and a dark chocolate fill the middle. A deep finish ends on dried fruit and a dark chocolate. This is a rich Highland malt of dried fruit and chocolate.