Glendronach 21 Years Old 1989

Glendronach from the distillery, a 21 year old, from 1989, cask 3314, at 53.5%, 491 bottles in all. Glendronach is a richly sherried Highland single malt from the Valley of Forgue, built on full bodied spirit and Spanish oak. It was founded in 1826 by James Allardice, said to be the second man in Scotland to take a licence after the Excise Act of 1823.

The spirit was distilled in copper pot stills, giving a deep, full bodied Highland spirit. Maturation came in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon, layered over the full Glendronach make. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. Active first fill sherry wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At its natural 53.5% it is rich and chewy. Fig, walnut and a bittersweet chocolate, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is a full bodied Highland single malt of real richness.