Glendronach 22 Years Old 1995 Cask #3043

A distillery release of Glendronach, a 22 year old, from 1995, cask 3043, at 52.7%, 629 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt whose founder was an early champion of sherry cask maturation. It was bought in 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company, who rebuilt it as a heavily sherried single malt. It was bought in 1920 by Charles Grant, a son of the founder of Glenfiddich.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, for the rich, sherried make Glendronach is known for. Maturation came in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon, layered over the full Glendronach make. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. 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. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At a hearty 52.7% it carries real weight. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a richly sherried Highland single malt.