Glendronach 32 Years Old 1978 Cask #1787

Glendronach from the distillery, a 32 year old, from 1978, cask 1787, at 44.7%, 584 bottles in all. Glendronach is a richly sherried Highland single malt from the Valley of Forgue, built on full bodied spirit and Spanish oak. 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 was run slowly off the spirit still, for a weighty, full spirit the sherry casks then deepen. Maturation came in a Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon, layered over the full Glendronach make. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending maple and dried fig as beeswax and old leather linger. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At a hearty 44.7% it carries real weight. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a full bodied Highland single malt of real richness.