GlenDronach Port Wood Whisky

Wonderful - it warms the cockles of your heart. Smooth.

I am a big fan of Glendronach's house style. Their whiskies tend to be rich and sweet due to the heavy use of sherry and especially PX casks. I was excited therefore to try the port finish.

The colour gives away the type of cask used, clearly a ruby wine origin in there somewhere. There is a strong magenta tinge. the nose is pleasantly warm and redolent of fresh baked bread, backed by vanilla and some woodland berry notes.

First impression on the tongue is a shock. So much less syrupy sweetness than most older Glendronachs, implying either much younger spirit or the absence of sweet sherry casks in the ageing process. When I get past my initial disappointment, I find ginger notes, a little red pepper and honey and yeasty bread in the aftertaste, especially with a sip of water (I always follow a sip of whisky with some cool water as it reveals more complexity in the flavour, without diluting the alcohol).

Overall, taken on its own, a really good whisky. Good value at £60

A deep vibrant brown in colour, almost reddish pink, looks like Irn Bru a little in the glass. The nose is sensational, deep chocolate and almond mixes with the unmistakable red fruit character from the port pipes. Cherry Bakewell, or Black Forest Gateux spring immediately to mind.
A slight pepper tingle in the mouth, the sherry sweetness mixes beautifully with the wine/port notes. The mouth impact is not as heavy as you would expect from the immense nose though, and this is a little bit of a let down.
The finish is medium, a lovely malty yeastiness and bready note joins the port notes, with a gentle warmth.
I'd suggest that this whisky is a little young, as there's no age statement, and this is what is letting down the mouth impact and the finish. Don't get me wrong, still a delicious whisky, just a little thin compared to the older GlenDronach's.