Glendronach 44 Years Old 1968

Glendronach from the distillery, a 44 year old, from 1968, cask 5, at 48.6%, 632 bottles in all. Glendronach is a rich Highland malt from the Valley of Forgue, near Huntly. Its water is the Dronac Burn, which also gave the distillery its name. It was mothballed in 1996 and lay silent until production resumed in 2002.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a weighty, full spirit the sherry casks then deepen. Maturation came in an Oloroso sherry butt, 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 casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich Glendronach make. Maturation runs slow and even in the traditional dunnage warehouses on the Forgue site.

At 48.6%, undiluted, it is dark and full. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with dried fruit, fig and walnut 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 Highland single malt of real standing.