Glendronach 22 Years Old 1990 Cask #2971

A distillery release of Glendronach, a 22 year old, from 1990, cask 2971, at 50.8%, 604 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt known for its heavy Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry maturation. Its whisky is now overseen by the master blender Dr Rachel Barrie.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, giving a deep, full bodied Highland spirit. It was fully matured in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon, the wood deep in the rich spirit. Through the evaporative decades the esters fold into raisin, fig, beeswax and a bittersweet chocolate. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body.

Bottled at a cask strength 50.8%, it is deep and concentrated. Fig, walnut and a bittersweet chocolate, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The body is full and rich, the fruit deep and dark. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is a full bodied Highland single malt of real richness.