Glendronach 24 Years Old 1993 Cask #55

A 24 year old Glendronach, a distillery bottling, from 1993, cask 55, at 56.7%, 567 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, founded in 1826 near Huntly in Aberdeenshire. It joined William Teacher and Sons in 1960 and became a core malt of the Teacher's blend. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a weighty, full spirit the sherry casks then deepen. It was matured in an Oloroso sherry butt, the wood working deep into the malt. 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. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

Bottled at a cask strength 56.7%, it is deep and concentrated. A deep, dark sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A dark chocolate and a soft oak give it weight. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is a deep, sherried Highland single malt.