Glendronach 25 Years Old 1993 Cask #7069

Glendronach from the distillery, a 25 year old, from 1993, cask 7069, at 51.7%, 693 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt whose founder was an early champion of sherry cask maturation. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands.

Drawn from a thick, heavy wash, shaping a rich Highland body with real weight. A Pedro Ximenez cask held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body. 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.

At its natural 51.7% it is rich and chewy. A rich, sherried sweetness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The body is full and rich, the fruit deep and dark. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a deep, sherried Highland single malt.