Glendronach 24 Years Old Cask #Batch 4

A distillery release of Glendronach, a 24 year old, cask Batch 4, at 48.9%, 569 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, founded in 1826 near Huntly in Aberdeenshire. It was bought in 1920 by Charles Grant, a son of the founder of Glenfiddich. Its water is the Dronac Burn, which also gave the distillery its name. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, for a weighty, full spirit the sherry casks then deepen. Maturation came in an Oloroso cask, layered over the full Glendronach make. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At a natural 48.9% it is full and rich. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Fig, honey and a dark chocolate fill the middle. The close is rich and dark, fruit over a warm spice. This is a full bodied Highland single malt of real richness.