Glendronach The Venetian Room

A distillery release of Glendronach, at 46%. Glendronach is a rich Highland malt from the Valley of Forgue, near Huntly. 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. It passed to Brown Forman, owner of Jack Daniel's, in 2016 as part of a 285 million pound deal. 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 worked unhurried through the stillhouse, shaping a rich Highland body with real weight. It was matured in Pedro Ximenez, Oloroso and Amarone casks, each wood adding to the dark, dried fruit. With no age statement, vanillin reads as vanilla and oak lactones as coconut over the rich, fruity spirit. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Highland body.

At an approachable 46% it is soft and fruity. A deep, dark sweetness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. It finishes long, full and fruity. This is a dark, fruity Highland single malt.