Glendronach 25 Years Old 1994 Cask #7459

Glendronach from the distillery, a 25 year old, from 1994, cask 7459, at 53.4%. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, revived from 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands. It was mothballed in 1996 and lay silent until production resumed in 2002.

It was distilled in copper pot stills, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. It was fully matured in an Oloroso sherry puncheon, the wood deep in the rich spirit. 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. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At a hearty 53.4% it carries real weight. A rich, sherried sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is a dark, fruity Highland single malt.