One of my favourite, affordable sherry bombs and I have never written about it; the GlenDronach 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. Today I rectify this oversight. It is one of those classic drams that can so easily be overlooked.
The GlenDronach is a Highlands distillery. Whisky from this distillery has been used in various blends including Teacher’s and Ballantine’s whisky.
The Glendronach Core range consists of an Allardice 18 year old and the Parliament 21 year old whisky release. There is even a Glendronach Peated whisky release. GlenDronach distillery also has various limited edition releases as well as single cask releases.
However, today I it is the turn of the GlenDronach 12 year old whisky. Re-launched in 2009, it is entirely aged in PX and Oloroso casks. The 12 year old is not chill-filtered with no added colouring. There is also a 15 year old, a 18 year old and a 21 year old release as part of the core collection.
Since I last wrote about GlenDronach, various things happened. During May 2014 I wrote about the GlenDronach 16 year old and covered the history of this distillery. At the beginning of October 2016, I tasted the GlenDronach 13 year old single cask release bottled especially for Whisky Brother. When I wrote both these to posts, the distillery was still part of the BenRiach Group.
During April 2016 GlenDronach Distillery was purchased by the Brown-Forman Corporation. The deal included the BenRiach and Glenglassaugh distilleries as well.
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The GlenDronach 12 year old Whisky Review
REGION: Highlands
ABV: 43%
COLOUR: Rich golden amber
NOSE: Rich notes of sherry, toasted nuts, ripe red berries and fruit including raisins and ripe plums, toffee with creamy vanilla.
PALATE: Ripe cherries and berries, raisins balanced with butterscotch, wood spices and ginger with hints of malt. It is rich and full-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel. It is perfectly smooth and easy drinking with just a little bit of a peppery bite. Add water carefully; it only needs a few drops to release additional smoothness.
FINISH: Woody notes with a dry full cream sherry finish and hints of nuts.
RATING: EXCELLENT
It is a fantastic, underrated whisky. It retails for under R700 in South Africa and is readily available. So easy drinking and delicious. The GlenDronach 12 year old whisky is a fruity sweet dram with just the slightest hints of spice and pepper. The sweetness is not overwhelming; it is creamy, soft and inviting.
This 12 year old Scotch is the perfect dram for autumn; sitting on the patio, on a late autumn afternoon, just before sunset. When the colour of the trees around me has turned all the shades of red, orange and golden yellow, this golden amber GlenDronach is the perfect end to a busy day. In South Africa, the Glendronach 12 year old retails for around R 900.
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