Glendronach 21 Years Old 1994 Cask #3274

This official Glendronach, a 21 year old, from 1994, cask 3274, at 53.1%, 664 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, long a blending malt and now a sherry led name in its own right. It passed to Brown Forman, owner of Jack Daniel's, in 2016 as part of a 285 million pound deal. It was bought in 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company, who rebuilt it as a heavily sherried single malt. Its whisky is now overseen by the master blender Dr Rachel Barrie.

The spirit was distilled to a rich, generous cut, for a weighty make built to take active Spanish oak. It was fully matured in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon, the wood deep in the rich spirit. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make.

At 53.1%, undiluted, it is dark and full. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. It is full and fruity, the spirit carrying the cask. The finish is rounded, dark and spiced. This is a Highland single malt of real standing.