Glendronach 21 Years Old 1993 Cask #494

A distillery release of Glendronach, a 21 year old, from 1993, cask 494, at 55.8%, 635 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt known for its heavy Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry maturation. It was bought in 1920 by Charles Grant, a son of the founder of Glenfiddich.

The spirit was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, shaping a rich Highland body with real weight. It was matured in an Oloroso sherry butt, the wood working deep into the malt. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. 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. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site.

At its natural 55.8% it is rich and chewy. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A baked apple and a warm cinnamon lift the middle. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a full bodied Highland single malt of real richness.