Reviewing GlenDronach Single Malt Scotch Whisky
let’s begin
GlenDronach has a chequered past, but these days it is making great malts and building its reputation as a classic SpeysideScotch at the same time.
speyside loyal
GlenDronach Distillery has been established since 1826, but it hasn’t always been open. It has changed owners often and has been shut down for not an insignificant amount of that time. Today however, it is thriving under the ownership of the BenRiach Distillery Company.
The distillery itself is well known within the Speyside region as an excellent example of the malts that are made there. Let’s take a deep dive into their malts to see why.
The youngest in the GlenDronach core range, this 12 year old has been matured in sherry casks and imparts a lot of that classic Speyside flavour.
The nose opens with bit notes of cinnamon, dried fruits and malted barley. It has a lovely Christmas cake aroma. Oak wood appears with a lovely vanilla sweetness to it, tying in nicely with the sherry notes.
The palate is very sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. The vanilla comes alive, complementing the cinnamon spice and oak wood. It has a delicate earthy tone, which enhances the natural flavours of cinnamon, nutmeg and dried fruits. almonds, hazelnuts and pecans comes through to give it a chewy texture.
It finishes with caramel, oak wood and a lovely note of cinnamon.
Part of the GlenDronach core range this 15 year old is full of flavour. It was actually discontinued in 2015, but brought
back to life a few years later due to popular demand, hence the name Revival.
The nose begins with big notes of sweet nuts, marzipan and ameretto. Coffee and dark chocolate appear to give it a nice edge and allow the sweeter notes to bounce off them. Hints of citrus fruits come through, especially oranges and clementines.
The delicate bitterness of the coffee and dark chocolate are offset further on the palate with the introduction of dried fruits. Figs, apricots, raisins and dates make for a chewy mouth feel and sweet, tangy taste. It is excellent and brings out the tell tale sherry notes. Honey and caramel give it a smooth mouth feel and lovely sweetness.
The finish is strong and full of caramel and honey. Cherries and almonds end with a lovely deep flavour.
The Allardice 18 Year Old is named after the founder of the distillery, who was well known within the industry. This malt has matured in Oloroso sherry casks.
Sherry is in there from the get go. Big notes of spice and sweet nuts take over. Almonds, hazelnuts, pecans and cinnamon take over the flavour from the nose and never let go. Oak wood wraps itself around the flavours and combines rhem in a sweet and spicy medley.
The palate is as equally sherried. More orchard fruits appear, especially apples and pears. Oranges and lemons, with spicy cloves also come through. sweeter notes of vanilla and caramel give the spice a nice edge. The mouth feel is smooth and soft.
The finish is very sweet, with big notes of caramel and warming cinnamon.
The 21 Year Old Parliament is probably not named after what you think it’s named after. Rather than a reference to the political body of the UK, it’s named after the parliament of rooks who guard the storehouses at GlenDronach Distillery.
Like its siblings, this is a malt full of sherry notes, having been matured in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks.
The nose opens with cinnamon, nutmeg and oak wood. Malted grains, orange peel and char make for a complex and inviting aroma.
The palate is deep and full of all spice, citrus fruits, raisins and cherries. Figs and plums give it a nice sweet note, reminiscent of Christmas cake. Caramel and honey add a nice backdrop and go excellently with the spicy flavours. It is full bodied and well rounded throughout.
The finish is strong with cinnamon and nutmeg to end.
The 21 Year Old Parliament is probably not named after what you think it’s named after. Rather than a reference to the political body of the UK, it’s named after the parliament of rooks who guard the storehouses at GlenDronach Distillery.
Like its siblings, this is a malt full of sherry notes, having been matured in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks.
The nose opens with cinnamon, nutmeg and oak wood. Malted grains, orange peel and char make for a complex and inviting aroma.
The palate is deep and full of all spice, citrus fruits, raisins and cherries. Figs and plums give it a nice sweet note, reminiscent of Christmas cake. Caramel and honey add a nice backdrop and go excellently with the spicy flavours. It is full bodied and well rounded throughout.
The finish is strong with cinnamon and nutmeg to end.
What do you think of the GlenDronach Distillery? Let us know in the comments!
Greg
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