Glendronach 25 Years Old 1992 Cask #334

Glendronach from the distillery, a 25 year old, from 1992, cask 334, at 58.5%, 592 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, revived from 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit. Its water is the Dronac Burn, which also gave the distillery its name.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a weighty make built to take active Spanish oak. An Oloroso sherry butt held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. In the oxidative, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to dried fruit, dark chocolate and a waxy, resinous depth. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make.

At a natural 58.5% it is full and rich. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. A long finish carries raisin, chocolate and a treacle. This is a dark, fruity Highland single malt.