The GlenDronach 18 year old is one of the best sherry cask-aged drams I have tasted. As someone who enjoys whisky, this expression quickly secured a spot in my top 10 favourite drams. Intrigued by the prospect of even greater delights, I ventured into the GlenDronach 21 year old Scotch whisky realm, expecting an unparalleled sensory experience.
Unfortunately, it was not the experience I hoped for, so today, I do a GlenDronach 18 vs 21 year old single malt Scotch whisky side-by-side between these two releases to see why.
Situated near the Scottish Speyside town of Huntly, the GlenDronach distillery, founded in 1826 by James Allardice, has witnessed many different owners throughout its rich history. The distillery’s legacy evolved from Chivas Brothers to Charles Grant and William Teacher and Sons. To name but a few.
In 2008, under the ownership of BenRiach, a revival took place with the introduction of a visitors centre and the relaunch of the core range, featuring the 12 year old, 15 year old, 18, and the GlenDronach 21 year old releases. The innovative touch extended to the addition of a Peated expression.
In 2016, Brown-Forman acquired the GlenDronach distillery. The deal included BenRiach and Glenglassaugh distilleries.
Named after the distillery’s founder, James Allardice, the 18 year old GlenDronach whisky is a testament to the excellence of ex-oloroso Sherry cask maturation. This single malt was first released in 2009 and is a non-chill-filtered and natural colour.
The GlenDronach 21 year old whisky draws inspiration from the Parliament of Rooks nesting near the warehouse. It is aged in a mixture of Spanish Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso casks from Andalucía. The whisky is a non-chill-filtered single malt Scotch with a tapestry of flavours.
| Glendronach 18 yo | Glendronach 21 yo | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Highland Whisky | Highland Whisky |
| ABV | 46% | 48% |
| Colour | Burnished mahogany | Polished amber |
| Nose | A big and rich sherry bomb. Christmas cake and fresh red berries. Chocolate covered cherries and fudge with bits of cinnamon, nuts and vanilla.A tropical note mixed with raisins and lemon peel. | Red fruit sweetness, creamy oak with bits of dark roasted coffee, an underlying ginger note mixed with bits of vanilla and orange. |
| Palate | Brandy soaked Christmas cake sweetness, chocolate-coated nuts, stewed fruits and allspice mixed with rich sherry. Overripe figs with bits of dried orange peel, vanilla, fresh cream and pepper. Adding water releases a bit more complexity in the dram. | Full-bodied and with a big mouthfeel, there are notes of bold sherry, dry oak, chocolate-covered cherries, red berries, cinnamon and pepper. In the background is the subdued sweetness of honey. A few drops of water softens the alcohol heat, but bring more pepper. It is a thick and oily dram. |
| Finish | Red berries and cinnamon sugar. Complex and long. | Long and lingering with notes of dry wood, cinnamon and lemon pepper. |
| My Rating | Divine | Excellent |
| Price | £ 138 | £ 185 |
The GlenDronach 18 year old captivates with sherry, Christmas cake, and chocolate-covered cherries. There are notes of figs, nuts and cinnamon. It is rich, chewy and delicious, with a wonderful balance between the sherry sweetness, vanilla and cinnamon spices and fruity notes. It is smooth and full-bodied.
On the other hand, the GlenDronach 21 year old introduces creamy oak, roasted dark coffee, and red berries. The spice profile leans towards cinnamon and pepper with hints of ginger. The 21 year old single malt has a rich, oily character.
In the comparison of the GlenDronach 18 vs 21 year old whisky, it is interesting to see that both expressions share red fruits and sherry notes, with a similar cinnamon spiciness. However, the GlenDronach 21 year old has more pepper, wood spice and chocolate notes than the 18 year old. It is delicious but not an easy-drinking whisky. It has more of a pepper bite to the finish.
The nose and the palate of the GlenDronach 18 year old is more complex. It has a more accessible and easy-drinking nature, coupled with bold and delicious characteristics. While the 21 year old showcases a refined elegance and restraint, the 18 year old remains my first choice, delivering a symphony of flavours that resonates with both connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike.
For those seeking the pinnacle of GlenDronach‘s sherry-cask magic, the 18 year old single malt is, in my opinion, the undisputed champion.
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