The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
By Randall H. Borkus
Rating: A
The GlenDronach Cask Strength Single Malt, Batch 10
(Credit: Randal H. Borkus)
The GlenDronach Distillery was established in 1826, and is one of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries. This is slowly and steadily taking a place among the upper tier Sherry cask matured whiskies, using barrels that have previously held Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry.
GlenDronach is located near Forgue, by Huntly, Aberdeenshire, in the Highland whisky district. The distillery was founded in 1826 by James Allardes (referred to often as Allardice) as the second distillery to apply for a license to legally produce whisky in Scotland. In 1996 the distillery was shut down and reopened again in 2002. They draw water from the Dronac burn within the distillery grounds, and it has its own floor maltings. Brown-Forman Corporation purchased the Glendronach Distillery in April 2016, and continues to build on its tradition of creating magnificent scotch whisky.
In mid-2022, GlenDronach Distillery released Batch 10 of its Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This expression is created from the marriage of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. Bottled at a barrel strength of 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV).
Master Blender Rachel Barrie said, “The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 10 is incredibly rich and full-bodied with the full depth of sherry cask maturation at its heart. Presented at natural cask strength, it offers a cornucopia of flavor, from richly spiced fruitcake to dark cherry and ginger jam.”
The Scotch
In my glass, the whisky has a deep dark bronzed pecan color. The nose is full of fragrant Sherried prunes, oven-roasted raisin sauce, and a hint dry oak. The front palate is syrupy and sticky in my mouth with hints of baked dates, black cherry puree, honeysuckle essence and citrus; while the mid-palate is warm, complex, and rich with hints of sweet baked pears sprinkled with a mocha dust and roasted nuts nested on an oak bed. The finish is rich and thick holding remnants of toasted oak, fresh cracked nutty dryness blended with baked black cherries and honey-infused medjool dates.
I found this whisky simply amazing, and I so enjoy sharing it with friends. That is so much so that I named it as 2022’s Best To Pass My Lips. The dram consistently surprises my Scotch-drinking friends, who are often new to the GlenDronach. It is simply delightful on the palate neat or with a few drops of water to further open the complex flavor profile releasing the sherry notes and it always holds up well with a fine cigar.
The Price
This is available at the suggested retail price of $99.99 and well worth it.
