Glendronach 27 Years Old 1993 Cask #7274

Glendronach from the distillery, a 27 year old, from 1993, cask 7274, at 54.2%, 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. Its whisky is now overseen by the master blender Dr Rachel Barrie. By 1862 it had grown into the largest duty paying distillery in the Highlands. It was the last distillery in Scotland to fire its stills with coal, converting to steam only in 2005.

It was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. An Oloroso 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. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site.

At its natural 54.2% it is rich and chewy. A deep, dark sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. It finishes long, full and fruity. This is a Highland single malt of real standing.