Glendronach 34 Years Old 1975 (Ian Macleod)

Ian Macleod bottled this Glendronach, a 34 year old, distilled in 1975, at 43%. Glendronach is a Highland single malt whose founder was an early champion of sherry cask maturation. Its water is the Dronac Burn, which also gave the distillery its name. It was bought in 2008 by Billy Walker's BenRiach company, who rebuilt it as a heavily sherried single malt.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, shaping a rich Highland body with real weight. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the full character to the fore. 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 spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

Bottled at 43%, it is rounded and full. Date, fig and a warm cinnamon, lifted by a sweet oak. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a full bodied Highland single malt of real richness.