Glendronach 29 Years Old 1993 Cask #6738

A distillery release of Glendronach, a 29 year old, from 1993, cask 6738, at 53.3%, 694 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. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit.

Run slowly off the spirit still, giving a deep, full bodied Highland spirit. Maturation came in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon, layered over the full Glendronach make. In the oxidative, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to dried fruit, dark chocolate and a waxy, resinous depth. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

At its natural 53.3% it is rich and chewy. A rich, sherried sweetness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. A baked apple and a warm cinnamon lift the middle. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is a rich Highland malt of dried fruit and chocolate.