The GlenDronach Distillery has announced the US arrival of three casks from the 19th batch of its acclaimed Cask Bottling collection. Master Blender Rachel Barrie personally selected a total of twelve casks, each bottled from a single Pedro Ximénez or Oloroso sherry puncheon or Butt, distilled between 1990 and 1994. Whether previously housed in sweet and rich Pedro Ximénez or dry and nutty Oloroso, each presents unique characteristics while remaining distinctively of The GlenDronach.
The limited-release bottlings arriving to the US include three casks laid down between 1992 and 1994 and bottled from Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks.
“The GlenDronach Cask Bottling Batch 19 offers an insight into our sherry cask maturation history and the exceptional quality of the casks we have at The GlenDronach,” explained Barrie. “I have personally chosen these casks to celebrate and share the very best of the distillery’s character. Each represents the rich selection of barrels, Hogsheads, Puncheons and Butts that have been used throughout The GlenDronach’s history. This release reflects our enduring commitment to crafting the most exceptional, richly sherried Single Malts representative of The GlenDronach’s rare dedication to its craft, embodied in every expression.”
The GlenDronach Distillery, nestled in the Valley of Forgue, is known for the exquisite selection of fine Spanish oak sherry casks in which their Highland Single Malts rest. Protected and nurtured over the years by the distillery’s dedicated warehouse team, each cask offers unique characteristics married with The GlenDronach’s robust and characterful Highland spirit.
Each of the three Cask Bottling Batch 19 casks have been released to select states across the United States. Depending on the expression, the ABV ranges from 50.8% to 55.4%. Each bottle draws its natural color from the cask in which it rests.
The 29-year-old 1992 CASK 217 was aged in an Oloroso Sherry Butt. On the nose, it offers the luxurious aroma of leather and raisin pudding, enriched with apricot, mixed peel and sultana raisins. The palate features treacle, dark muscovado sugar, and dried fruit cake, with cherry, nutmeg and raisin. Bottled at 55.4% ABV, just 383 bottles of the Scotch have been created and will be available in Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey for $820 each.
The 28-year-old 1992 CASK 6052 was matured in a Pedro Ximénez Puncheon. On the nose, it offers exquisite plum, strawberry and red grape, with the finest crème anglaise and dark chocolate. The palate is elegant and fruity with mandarin, redcurrant and apricot jam, with chocolate orange cream liqueur. Bottled at 50.8% ABV, just 658 bottles have been created and will be available in California, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming for $720 each.
The 27-year-old 1994 CASK 5080 was aged in an Oloroso Puncheon. On the nose, the whisky offers the exquisite elegance of orange peel and heather honey, with redcurrant and cocoa dusted truffle. The palate features sumptuous chocolate, orange and cranberry ganache with candied walnut and honey. Bottled at 54.3% ABV, just 667 bottles have been created and will be available in Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Washington D.C., Illinois, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, Maine, Nevada, and South Carolina for $600 per bottle.
For more information, head over to The GlenDronach’s official website.
In January, The GlenDronach announced the limited release of its first-ever 50 Year Old Single Malt; the Highland distillery’s oldest and rarest single malt Scotch whisky to date.
