Glendronach 26 Years Old 1993 Cask #5965

Glendronach from the distillery, a 26 year old, from 1993, cask 5965, at 55.2%, 717 bottles in all. 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. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands.

The spirit was distilled in copper pot stills, giving a deep, full bodied Highland spirit. It was fully matured in a Pedro Ximenez 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. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At a hearty 55.2% it carries real weight. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, 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 the sherry led malt of Forgue.