Glendronach 22 Years Old 1990 Cask #2966

Glendronach from the distillery, a 22 year old, from 1990, cask 2966, at 55.1%, 539 bottles in all. Glendronach is a rich Highland malt from the Valley of Forgue, near Huntly. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands. It passed to Brown Forman, owner of Jack Daniel's, in 2016 as part of a 285 million pound deal. It was the last distillery in Scotland to fire its stills with coal, converting to steam only in 2005.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, giving a deep, full bodied Highland spirit. A Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site.

At 55.1%, undiluted, it is dark and full. A rich, sherried sweetness, 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 deep, sherried Highland single malt.