There have been some kind of revival at the Glendronach distillery in the last decade or two. New technics and new expressions creating a reinforced reputation. But to see if there is improvement to trace I have to try some new ones besides some old ones. This is perhaps not fair due to the age difference, but I think it will be fun anyway. The strength is pretty similar though.
Glendronach 8yo 2002-2011 55% OB Cask in a Van 3rd.edition cask#2009
According to online sources, this cask has been driven around on the european continent in the backside of a Van. I don't know what efect this will have other than the cask being exposed to a larger array of change in weather and temperatures. But then again, aqua vitae producers are sending spirit across the world seas in ships to attract flavors, so why can't Glendronach drive a cask around in europe? I just wonder why they do it? Maybe the taste will prove my doubts unreasoned. It smells heavy sherried, cinnamon and roasted pecan nuts. The initial odors fades fast and it becomes much lighter. The taste is spirity and sweet, too spirity, again these roasted nuts, like the ones you get at the fried almond-stands in London. But not much more than that.
A slight disappointment, a bit too young for me: 5.5
Glendronach 14yo 1996-2010 57.2% Malts of Scotland cask#195
From a sherry butt, dark color, smells a bit phenlolic and burnt, also some butter and rubber, spicy as well. The taste is amazing, dark sweet dried fruits, grapes, rum, some peat but not much. A bit spirity, need some water I think, but I think for a thick oloroso sherry-lover this would be pretty perfect. With a small amount of water it gets lighter, again these sweet dark fruits, figs, dates and raisins. To be honest, the only thing diluted when adding water seems to be the alcohol sting and the phenol. There is a sweet palate with the aforementioned fruits alongside a lightly peated orange peel finish.
This is very much to my liking, though maybe a bit too "clean": 7
Glendronach 20yo 1970-1990 56% Signatory Vintage cask#513-518 btl.1358/2400
6 sherry casks have gone into the batch for this bottling, about the same color as the Malts of Scotland, maybe a bit lighter, sort of peach tea. This one smells much lighter, less heavy sherry and more light peatiness. This one develops into a more heavyily sherried whisky after a while. Totally opposite of the Van-whisky. Smells burnt, bitter, blueberries, blackberries, banana, butter cream and dried mutton meat. The taste is perfect dry & sweet sherry-inspired, Amoroso, I love it, plumbs, figs, raisins, prunes, dark chocolate, cream, sweet licorice and some peat in the aftertaste.
Perfect, it's all very well put together, smooth, fruity, creamy and rich: 8.5
Glendronach 22yo 1975-1998 57.7% Signatory Vintage cask#1686 btl.61/625
Five years newer vintage, and the only one in this tasting matured in a bourbon cask, as all the other are sherry-matured ones, no double casks or whatever here. Smells far less complex than the sherry matured ones. Vanilla and peppermint drops, light and sweet. The taste is much richer, sour fruits, honey, melon, grape fruit, apple juice, a fruity bourbon cask? Alongside some soapy and bittersweet notes. The aftertaste is peppery and rather short. Another fruitbomb from Glendronach, but far from as thick and rich as the other ones. A pleasant surprise.
Shows that Glendronach can pull of many kind of casks, Quality: 8
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