Glendronach 24 Years Old 1992 Cask #43

This official Glendronach, a 24 year old, from 1992, cask 43, at 52.1%, 644 bottles in all. Glendronach is a richly sherried Highland single malt from the Valley of Forgue, built on full bodied spirit and Spanish oak. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands. It was bought in 1920 by Charles Grant, a son of the founder of Glenfiddich. It was bought in 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company, who rebuilt it as a heavily sherried single malt.

It was distilled in copper pot stills, for a weighty make built to take active Spanish oak. It was fully matured in an Oloroso sherry butt, the wood deep in the rich spirit. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At a hearty 52.1% it carries real weight. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Fig, honey and a dark chocolate fill the middle. A long finish carries raisin, chocolate and a treacle. This is the sherry led malt of Forgue.