The Glendronach Master Vintage 1993 Scotch Review

By Douglas Fraser

Rating: A-

Glendronach is one of the first licensed distilleries in Scotland and, as of 2016, is owned by Brown-Forman Corporation. At the beginning of November, Glendronach released a pair of sherried limited edition whiskies that lives true to the Highland single malt style. Glendronach’s Master Vintage 1993 and Cask Strength Batch 8 bottlings are an illustration of the master craft of Spanish cask maturation using some of the finest Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso Sherry casks from Andalucía, Spain. Since the foundation of the distillery in 1826, Spanish casks are the primary method of maturation for Glendronach. With the release of these two whiskies, Master Blender Rachel Barrie continues to add to the rich Glendronach history.

The Scotch
The Glendronach Master Vintage 1993 was aged for 25 years in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, which make the spirit incredibly complex and robust. The non-chill-filtered whisky is without any added coloring and is bottled at 48.2% ABV.

Color: Amber Brown

On the nose are delightful hints of dark chocolate, cocoa, hazelnut, almonds, oak, cherries, marzipan, coffee, and sherry. Tasted neat, strong hints of cocoa, chocolate, nuts (almonds), slight vanilla, oak, wood, and raisins arise. There is also an oiliness to it on the tongue. The finish is a little dry but is a pleasant medium to long in length and is full of more cocoa, oak, toffee, and a slight hint of cinnamon spice.

The Price
Master Vintage 1993 is priced at $350 USD per bottle.