Single Malt
Scotland
1 Jan 1993
A rather stunning well-sherried single malt from GlenDronach. Distilled in 1993, the whisky was laid to rest in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks. Twenty-five glorious GlenDronach years passed, then master blender Dr. Rachel Barrie selected the casks to create this expression, which has been bottled at 48.2% ABV. The Spanish oak in which it rested has imparted a rich golden hue to the liquid - and, of course, an exceptional flavour profile.
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Rich brandy-laced fruitcake and marzipan on a base of smoked walnut and toasted sultana bread.
Sip cocoa-dusted coffee and sultana brioche enlivened by a twist of baked orange rind and the juiciness of prune oil.
Savour the long velvet taste of rich cocoa and dates as pecan toffee lingers into the sumptuous finish.
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Excellent
Not up to usual standard. Probably made from the poorer casks available
Appearance: Medium amber. Thin & oily legs cling to the inside of the glass and meander down at their own unhurried pace. Nose: Oats & cereal smothered in caramel sauce. There’s quite a ‘winey’ element as well that brings on a bit of a tart & sour note. Sherry is most definitely there as you’d hope – almost like it’s been soaked in those sponge fingers you get in the bottom of a trifle. Dried cherries and moist raisins with a subtle citrus note. Candied orange peel perhaps? And finally a rounding scent of boiled barley sweets. No alcohol-burn whatsoever. Palate: Immediate sweetness coupled with a nutty dryness appears and washes over the tongue. Good levels of sherry shine through and that GlenDronach distillate DNA is unmistakable in the flavour. It then moves to a creamy oiliness with some soft white pepper that prickles the sides of the tongue. Dryness creeps from the front of the tongue and slowly advances to the sides, and around the palate. The residual flavour now turns to a creamy caramelised sugar bite with some roasted nuts, and (dare I say it), fruitcake. The flavour doesn’t disappoint and offers up a full & flavoursome delivery. Finish: Long with that sweet oiliness that was detected on the palate. Although, over the 4 separate tastings I’ve done with this I’ve noticed more of a saccharine sweetness on the finish, and something seem to be amiss. The oiliness clings to the palate and promotes that lingering sweetness. There’s the faintest sign of a whiff of tobacco on the exhale. Water adds…. It doesn’t need water but adding a drop or two increases the woody-bite on the palate. Conclusion: And this is where I am in 2 camps and have a dilemma. Let’s start with the positives. I think this is a lovely whisky – absolutely no doubt about that in my mind. It’s very much an enjoyable and decadent dram that I would enjoy over and over again and get a lot of pleasure from. If you are a fan of the 18yr Allardice, then you’ll absolutely love this one. It’s like an Allardice that’s grown up, gone to college and landed a fancy job working for its Uncle Grandeur. It has more maturity and a roundness that smooths out any jagged edges.
