Showing posts with label GlenDronach 12. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GlenDronach 12. Show all posts

GlenDronach 12 Years Review


Country: Scotland 
Region: Highland - Speyside
Brand: GlenDronach
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age:  12 Years
ABV:  43 %
Date: 22/04/2013

Colour: Dark Amber

Nose: Very Nice and Well-Balanced in a Comfortable Way. Lovely Sherry but not too dominating. Fruitcake soaked in Orange Liqueur with lots of Raisins, Nuts, Grapes and Plums. Malt, Brown Sugar, Floral Tones and Vanilla/Oak. Warm Wine with Spices. A hint of Peat in the background. 

Palate: Warming with Malt, Sherry, Red Fruit (Berries, Grape) Cinnamon, Pepper, Dried Fruits and Nuts, Coconut, Orange Peel and Buttered Toast. This GlenDronach deserves to be bottled at 46%.

Finish: Middle-Long with Malt, Toffee, Charred Oak, Licorice, Orange Marmalade, Aniseed, Vanilla and a touch of Dark Chocolate.

I added a bit of Water and the Malt, Fruit and Vanilla flourish. Palate and Finish do not improve in my opinion. This GlenDronach is better sipped neat.

Rating: 86

Nose: 21.5- Taste:  21.5  - Finish: 21.5 - Overall: 21.5


General Remarks: This distillery was founded around 1826  by James Allardice. It is located in South-East Speyside, close to the town of Huntly. It belonged to Allied Distillers for a long time and was closed between 1997 and 2003. Since 2008 it’s in the hands of BenRiach, which promises great expressions for the near future. The 12 years matured in a combination of Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso Sherry Casks. It's not artificially coloured and not-chill filtered. Great value for money at around 45 US Dollars!

Drinking Experience Neat:  Good

Conclusion: A great desert whisky to end a fine December dinner. But also great to enjoy while reading a good book. A well-crafted Speysider at a very reasonable price. Excellent interplay between Malt and Sherry. One of those standard bottles you should consider adding to your cabinet. Good, solid stuff!