Hey Everybody,
You know, sometimes it's nice when a revitalised producer does something extraordinary and sticks to traditions all at the same time! It has become the accepted norm that when a distillery reopens or rebrands itself, there follows a torrent of experimental bottlings of what can hardly be recognised as Single Malt Scotch Whisky. While exciting, it is always refreshing to see a distillery as comfortable in it's own identity as GlenDronach. The whisky world must have been pleased to see the resurrection of this once proudly sherried Highland gem as it seemingly picked up just where it left off.
I first came across GlenDronach several years ago when all I wanted from a whisky was oily texture, smells of the sea and waves upon waves of peat-reek. I decided that I had found myself in a rut and needed to find a way to branch out into the rest of the world of whisky and on the recommendation of a very helpful bartender in Edinburgh, I tried the 15 year-old and credit it with opening my tastes to the world!
With the benevolent new owners, BenRiach gently steering GlenDronach's revival, a range of stunningly beautiful whiskies have been created with a clear theme: no chill-filtration, no colouring and plenty of sherry richness. The basic range of whiskies, the 12 year-old Original, the aptly named 15 year-old Revival, and the 18 year-old Allardice (named for the distillery's founder) have put a trio of essential whiskies on merchants' shelves.
The 12 is a spicy, chocolatey and smooth dram at a reasonable price, while the 15 is an iconically rich, opulent whisky showing notes of Christmas cake and dried cocoa. The 18 is nothing short of a masterclass in the application of Sherry barrels to whisky! With it's dense, rich and comforting aromas of figs, cinnamon and clove, full body and long finish it is not a beginners whisky, but something for the experienced enthusiast with a good long time to spend savouring and appreciating the deep amber spirit in the glass.
As it helped me expand my tastes, I consider GlenDronach to be the perfect whisky for anyone looking to expand theirs. Whether you like the peaty, smoky malts of Islay, or the lighter Speysides and Lowland malts, GlenDronach helps to break you into the richly opulent world of intensely Sherried whisky. Suspend what you know about your preferences and enjoy something different! Perfect for cold winter evenings around Christmas time, or to accompany rich chocolate dessert, any one of these bottlings would be an essential addition to a malt-lover's collection.
In an age of tremendous demand on the big brands of whisky, notably those in the Diageo stable, the most reassuring element of the trade is that there distilleries like GlenDronach putting forward such beautifully traditional, yet completely satisfying whiskies. We can all take a page from GlenDronach's book and be proud of who we are!
Much Love,
G
