Glendronach 30 Years Old 1992 Cask #1088

A 30 year old Glendronach, a distillery bottling, from 1992, cask 1088, at 56%, 681 bottles in all. Glendronach is a Highland single malt, long a blending malt and now a sherry led name in its own right. 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. It ferments in Oregon pine washbacks over long fermentations for a full, fruity spirit.

It was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a weighty, full spirit the sherry casks then deepen. It was matured in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon, the wood working deep into the malt. Ethereal and fragile, the decades draw it to a resinous, waxy depth of dried fruit, treacle and old oak. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At a natural 56% it is full and rich. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. A baked apple and a warm cinnamon lift the middle. A deep finish ends on dried fruit and a dark chocolate. This is Glendronach's deep, fruity Highland style.