Glendronach 28 Years Old 1994 Cask #5289

A distillery release of Glendronach, a 28 year old, from 1994, cask 5289, at 52.1%, 619 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, revived from 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit. It was bought in 1920 by Charles Grant, a son of the founder of Glenfiddich. It joined William Teacher and Sons in 1960 and became a core malt of the Teacher's blend. It was mothballed in 1996 and lay silent until production resumed in 2002.

The spirit was distilled in copper pot stills, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. It was fully matured in a Port pipe, the wood deep in the rich spirit. Through the evaporative decades the esters fold into raisin, fig, beeswax and a bittersweet chocolate. Active first fill sherry wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt.

Bottled at a cask strength 52.1%, it is deep and concentrated. A deep, dark sweetness, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. A dark chocolate and a soft oak give it weight. It finishes long, full and fruity. This is Glendronach's deep, fruity Highland style.