Heads up, fans of sherried whiskies! This month, our featured whisky is none other than GlenDronach!
GlenDronach has a fine reputation for great sherried scotches, and has a cult following among whisky lovers thanks to a great core range and and unique single cask releases. Wholly Spirits is proud to feature the distillery’s core range in our November Real Deals, comprising the GlenDronach 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old Revival, 18 Year Old Allardice, 21 Year Old Parliament, and the Traditionally Peated.
You can purchase these bottles by heading over to our November Real Deals page on our Online Store. Meanwhile, here are five fun facts about GlenDronach you should know.
1. GlenDronach is one of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries
GlenDronach 18YO was named after the distillery’s founder.
According to its website, the distillery was founded in 1826 by James Allardice in the valley of Forgue, by Huntly in Aberdeenshire. GlenDronach, which means ‘Valley of the Brambles’, is named after the ‘Dronac’ burn, which flows through the grounds of the distillery. The distillery has changed hands numerous times over the years, and is currently under the ownership of the Brown-Forman Corporation, which took over in 2016.
2. Its founder, James Allardice, was quite the colourful character
Legend has it that during a trip to Edinburgh to sell his whisky in 1826, Allardice could not sell a single drop. Then, on the way back from another failed meeting, he met and invited two prostitutes to his room to have some of his whisky. Later, he gave the two ladies of the night his entire flagon to share with their friends, and word spread like wildfire about this new whisky, and Allardice managed to sell all of his stock eventually.
Today, GlenDronach enjoys a cult status amongst whisky lovers, mainly because of its heavily-sherried whiskies. Which brings us to…
3. GlenDronach is well-known for its sherry-matured whiskies
Since 1826, Glendronach has always had a focus on whiskies matured in sherry casks. One of the reasons for this is the new make spirit they produce with their unique stills, which have pronounced saxophone shaped neck. It produces a fruity new make spirit with notes of blueberries and blackberries and dark fruits, as well as a certain oiliness with sandalwood, tobacco and earthier, leathery notes.
4. The GlenDronach core range uses mainly Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks
GlenDronach 21YO is named after a ‘parliament’ of rooks.
The robust nature of the spirit also stands up well maturation in sherry casks seasoned with the fruity and nutty Oloroso and rich Pedro Ximenéz sherry casks. In fact, of the GlenDronach’s core range the 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old Revival, and 21 Year Old Parliament are combinations of whiskies matured in Oloroso and PX casks; while the 18 Year Old Allardice (named after the founder) was aged in only Oloroso casks.
5. The 21 Year Old Parliament is named after birds, not the government
Here’s a fun fact for you: GlenDronach’s 21 Year Old Parliament is actually named after the parliament of rooks that have been nesting in the trees that overlook the distillery for almost 200 years. It is said that as long as the rooks continue living at the distillery, it will be good for the whisky!
Tasting Notes:
Glendronach 12 Year Old (43& ABV)
The 12 Year Old is aged in a combination of PX and Oloroso sherry casks, giving this a sweet vanilla nose with hints of spice, ginger and mulled wine spices.
On the palate, warm oak with soft spices and fruits, raisins and sherry sweetness. The finish is dry with pleasant nuttiness. Amazing!
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GlenDronach 15 Year Old Revival (46% ABV)
The 15 Year Old Revival was actually discontinued in 2015 due to a lack of mature whisky. But it is now revived!
A huge burst of maraschino cherry, berry fruits with touches of mint and walnuts. The sherry casks really shine through here, with a palate of stone fruits, dark Manuka honey with herbal bitterness and chocolate. The finish is spiced – think ginger, orange and tobaccos.
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GlenDronach 18 Year Old Allardice (46% ABV)
The 18YO Allardice is aged exclusively in Oloroso casks, making for a big, rich, heavily sherried whisky.
The palate is big on the dried fruit, spice and oak, with a Christmas cake palate, full of buttery vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and dark cherry. The finish is fruity with maple syrup and pancake. Gorgeous and great neat!
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GlenDronach 21 Year Old Parliament (48% ABV)
The 21YO Parliament has a huge fruity nose, with distinct red berry and plums, toasted oak biscuits candied orange.
Sweet oak and big spice palate, but balanced with full bodied tannins and raisins. Long finish with lingering chocolate and nuts. A truly sublime dram.
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GlenDronach Traditionally Peated (48% ABV)
This is GlenDronach’s first peated expression. The classic sherry notes are still there, but there is now subtle peat as well.
On the nose, subtle peat with more fruit and vanilla present. The palate has spice, and wafts of charred oak smoke. The smoke is pleasant and drying, unlike an Islay malt. The finish is clean with malted barley and spice. Enjoy with a drop of water.
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