Glendronach 26 Years Old 1992 Cask #221

A distillery release of Glendronach, a 26 year old, from 1992, cask 221, at 56.5%, 443 bottles in all. Glendronach is a richly sherried Highland single malt from the Valley of Forgue, built on full bodied spirit and Spanish oak. It was bought in 1920 by Charles Grant, a son of the founder of Glenfiddich. It was bought in 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company, who rebuilt it as a heavily sherried single malt.

The spirit was distilled to a rich, generous cut, shaping a rich Highland body with real weight. Maturation came in an Oloroso sherry butt, layered over the full Glendronach make. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. Active first fill sherry wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At a natural 56.5% it is full and rich. Orange, raisin and a treacle edge, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A dark chocolate and a soft oak give it weight. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is a richly sherried Highland single malt.