Glendronach 26 Years Old 1993 Cask #5963

This official Glendronach, a 26 year old, from 1993, cask 5963, at 55%, 674 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 passed to Brown Forman, owner of Jack Daniel's, in 2016 as part of a 285 million pound deal. It was mothballed in 1996 and lay silent until production resumed in 2002. It was founded in 1826 by James Allardice, said to be the second man in Scotland to take a licence after the Excise Act of 1823.

The spirit was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, giving a deep, full bodied Highland spirit. A Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. Through the evaporative decades the esters fold into raisin, fig, beeswax and a bittersweet chocolate. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register.

At a natural 55% it is full and rich. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. It finishes long, full and fruity. This is a dark, fruity Highland single malt.