Glendronach 25 Years Old 1994 Cask #5086

Glendronach from the distillery, a 25 year old, from 1994, cask 5086, at 54.7%. Glendronach is a richly sherried Highland single malt from the Valley of Forgue, built on full bodied spirit and Spanish oak. Its water is the Dronac Burn, which also gave the distillery its name. Its whisky is now overseen by the master blender Dr Rachel Barrie. It was mothballed in 1996 and lay silent until production resumed in 2002.

It was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, for a weighty, full spirit the sherry casks then deepen. Maturation came in an Oloroso sherry puncheon, 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. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body.

At its natural 54.7% it is rich and chewy. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A dark chocolate and a soft oak give it weight. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a deep, sherried Highland single malt.