REVIEWS

The Glendronach 15YO Revival was reintroduced back in the Glendronach core range some time ago. This “new” edition is matured in Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks, while the earlier editions were only matured in Oloroso sherry casks. 

The Glendronach distillery is situated in the village of Forgue, in the Eastern Scottish Highlands, built around 1826 and stayed in private ownership until 1960, when it was acquired by the Teacher’s blending house. The strong body of the distillate made in Glendronach was a perfect fit for a muscular blend such as Teacher’s back in the ’60s, alongside with whisky from nearby Ardmore distillery. It is exactly this strong body of the spirit that makes it ideal for maturing in ex-sherry casks and it currently produces around 1.4 mlpa. (Broom; World atlas of whisky)

Massive sherry influence hits you right of the first sniff. Once you get past this, the flavour is sherry sweet with some acidity in the background. Fruity – cooked apples perhaps? Thick honey intertwines with eucalyptus (mint?) giving this dram a noteworthy introduction. 

Take a first sip and you are welcomed by warm sherry casks notes – the cooked fruits return, but this time they are cooked with red wine. Dark chocolate, some cherries, but underneath it all some dusty, woody notes. Old cabinet at grandmas kitchen. Very lingering and full. 

The finish is a bit dry, the dusty cabinet repeats and lingers. Freshness from the nose reappears at instances. Malt biscuits aftertaste.

Glendronach 15 YO is one of those whiskies you will proudly pour, as it’s a great showcase of what scotch single malt matured in ex-sherry casks is capable of. 

                                                            The Drunk Flamingo