The GlenDronach is known for its use of Sherry casks, case in point the 11th release in their Grandeur series. So it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that the brand once again headed down the Sherry well with another one of its annual releases. Still, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and if it keeps getting better, keep doing it, which is the motto GlenDronach seems to be following with their Cask Strength Batch 11.
GlenDronach’s Cask Strength series is made to offer Scotch connoisseurs a deeper insight into the distillery’s character, by bottling at the whisky’s natural cask strength, as was the custom before the turn of the 20th Century. Batch 11 is a richly sherried Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured slowly in fine Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks.
Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie composes each marriage of The GlenDronach Highland Single Malt for the deepest color, with the duality of the Andalucían casks bringing depth, character, and complexity to the robust Highland spirit.
“This eleventh batch of The GlenDronach Cask Strength embodies The GlenDronach‘s celebrated style of Spanish Oak maturation in fine Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía,” said Barrie. “Add a drop or two of water to this latest expression to reveal a cornucopia of flavour – from richly spiced bramble wine and treacle toffee, to lingering Seville orange peel and nutmeg layered with caramel and maraschino cherry.”
A deep bronze in color, the whisky’s nose finds mulled cranberry, orange, and clove liqueur, which meld with dark honeyed treacle on a base of nutty oak. On the palate, richly spiced bramble wine and treacle toffee interweave with chocolate raisin, cinnamon maple. and sultana. The finish finds lingering Seville orange peel and nutmeg layered with caramel and maraschino cherry.
Bottled at 59.8%, the GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 11 is priced at £68 per bottle. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
In June, GlenDronach unveiled the tenth release in its Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky range.