Glendronach 25 Years Old 1962

This Glendronach comes from Gordon and MacPhail, the Elgin grocer laying down casks on South Street since 1895, a 25 year old, distilled in 1962, at 40%. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, long a blending malt and now a sherry led name in its own right. It joined William Teacher and Sons in 1960 and became a core malt of the Teacher's blend.

Distilled to a rich, generous cut, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the full character to the fore. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site. Active first fill sherry wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt.

At an approachable 40% it is soft and fruity. Orange, raisin and a treacle edge, lifted by a sweet oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. A deep finish ends on dried fruit and a dark chocolate. This is a rich Highland malt of dried fruit and chocolate.