Glendronach 22 Years Old 1992

A distillery release of Glendronach, a 22 year old, from 1992, cask 199, at 59.4%, 576 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 ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit. It was the last distillery in Scotland to fire its stills with coal, converting to steam only in 2005.

The spirit was distilled in copper pot stills, for a weighty make built to take active Spanish oak. It was matured in an Oloroso sherry butt, the wood working deep into the malt. Through the evaporative decades the esters fold into raisin, fig, beeswax and a bittersweet chocolate. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At a natural 59.4% it is full and rich. A deep, dark sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a full bodied Highland single malt of real richness.