Last year we revisited some drams of liquid-gold and today we’re revisiting the 18yo expression from The GlenDronach distillery. As you may already know, The GlenDronach distillery (12,15 and 18), in Speyside, which was built-in 1825 and was originally led by one James Allardice. GlenDronach are well-known for producing some of the most beautiful sweet sherry-styled Scotch Whisky on the market today, largely owed in part to a gentleman we spoke about at the time: Billy Walker. While GlenDronach has made a name for itself, it has long been the key to Teacher’s blends. As mentioned before, GlenDronach are very well know for producing Scotch matured in ex-sherry Oloroso & Pedro Ximenez casks, which give rich, sweet and creamy notes.. The GlenDronach 18-year-old has been named after the renowned founder of the distillery, James Allardice. This exceptional sherried single malt, matured in the finest Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, is non chill filtered and like all GlenDronach drams, is of natural colour, richly sherried malt is truly unforgettable.
On the nose: there is an initial waft of dark chocolates, currants and sultanas. This is closely followed by oranges, raisins, vanilla and a suggestion of lemon zest. Light notes of spices start to emerge in the form of cinnamon and mixed spices, alongside some inviting herbaecous notes. Rounding off the nose is a hint of black grapes, honey, walnuts, tobacco and old leather. On the palate: those currants and sultana notes nosed are ever-present, followed up by that luxurious dark chocolate. There are notes of orange peel, marzipan, raisins and a nutty note of walnuts that start to emerge. There is a lovely suggestion of morello cherries, coupled with sanguinello oranges, leather, cinnamon, all-spices and toasted oats. The finish: is long, dry and sweet, with lingering smoke, peppery spices and oak.
The verdict: This GlenDronach 18 expression is, in my opinion, sublime. With a seductive array of notes that just keep unfolding that have been finely balanced, this richly sherried 18yo ‘Allardice’ GlenDronach malt is truly unforgettable. With a ABV of 46%, it doesn’t require any water in my opinion. Though if you feel the need to, then do so until it’s just right for you.
GlenDronach ‘Allardice’ 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is available in-store from The Whisky Shop, for approximately £120. For more information on The ‘Allardice’ 18 Year Old , visit the official GlenDronach website.
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