Glendronach has released the eighteenth batch of its single cask bottlings, with this latest batch comprising of whiskies distilled between 2009 and 1990 and aged between ten and thirty years old. As with previous batches, there’s all sorts of cask types in play – oloroso puncheons, Pedro Ximénez puncheons, and port pipes – and for the first time since Brown Forman took ownership of the distillery, there’s also four casks exclusive to the USA. I’ve had the pleasure of sampling several expressions from Batch 16 and Batch 17, and I have no doubt the quality will be equally as high with Batch 18. The full out turn is below, which ranges in ABV from 48% to 61.9%, and in price from £97 to £861.
Available in Europe:
Glendronach 2009, 10yo, Cask #2091, PX Puncheon
Glendronach 2008, 11yo, Cask #648, PX Puncheon
Glendronach 1994, 26yo, Cask #4363, Oloroso Puncheon
Glendronach 1993, 27yo, Cask #7276, Oloroso Puncheon
Glendronach 1992, 27yo, Cask #7411, Oloroso Puncheon
Glendronach 1992, 27yo, Cask #5897, Port Pipe
Glendronach 1990, 30yo, Cask #7006, PX Puncheon
Available in APAC, Canada, and IMEA:
Glendronach 2009, 11yo, Cask #2039, PX Puncheon
Glendronach 2008, 12yo, Cask #8558, PX Puncheon
Glendronach 1994, 26yo, Cask #7465, Oloroso Puncheon
Glendronach 1993, 27yo, Cask #6735, PX Puncheon
Glendronach 1992, 27yo, Cask #6049, PX Puncheon
Glendronach 1992, 28yo, Cask #336, Oloroso Butt
Glendronach 1990, 30yo, Cask #9333, PX Butt
Available in USA:
Glendronach 2008, 12yo, Cask #3017, Oloroso Puncheon
Glendronach 2005, 14yo, Cask #1928, PX Puncheon
Glendronach 1994, 26yo, Cask #5287, Port Pipe
Glendronach 1993, 27yo, Cask #7102, Oloroso Puncheon
Commenting on the range, Glendronach Master Blender Dr. Rachel Barrie said: “The Glendronach Cask Bottling Batch 18 is a celebration of the distillery’s time-honoured mastery and a showcase of the finest of what this richly-sherried Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has to offer. This long standing, much loved release is a focal point to each year, demonstrating the exquisite character of our whiskies, through these exceptional casks which I have carefully hand-selected. Each cask individually explores the sophistication, powerful intricacy and rich layers of Spanish sherry cask maturation found in every expression of The Glendronach.”
Glendronach 2009 10yo
Pedro Ximénez Puncheon
Cask #2091
692 bottles
61.9% ABV
£TBC
Nose: Cracked black peppercorn and clove spice up front, then dark chocolate orange, Eccles cakes, tiramisu, thick cut marmalade on burnt toast, and some cacao nibs.
Palate: Sticky dates and prune juice initially, with dark treacle, some cranberries, brambles, and red currants. Then a touch of Branston Pickle spiciness alongside coffee grounds and thick oak.
Finish: Dry, earthy spices, with roasted nuts and toasted raisins.
Glendronach 1992 27yo
Port Pipe
Cask #5897
853 bottles
48% ABV
£TBC
Nose: Incredibly inviting, with cherry liqueur and some cough drops first. Then plum jam, blood oranges, blackberries, dark chocolate shavings and cinnamon stick. Mocha, pipe tobacco and Morello cherries too.
Palate: Some floral honey initially, with orange blossom, more cherries, and aniseed balls. Truffle oil, vintage leather and cask char are joined by a lovely meaty barbeque-y note and the faintest hint of smoke.
Finish: Drying, austere oak, with well-kept leather and cloves.
Overall: These single casks, regardless of how young or old they are, rarely disappoint, and they certainly haven’t disappointed once again. The younger of the two drams is essentially Glendronach encapsulated in a single glass – big, bold spirit paired with excellent quality sherry casks. The older whisky is multi-layered, beautifully complex, and has a fantastic sweet and savoury thing going on. Year after year I look forward to these single cask releases with eager anticipation, and rightly so. Absolutely gorgeous whisky.
