GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 3

1 June 2018

When it comes to a distillery that has spent a lot of time and years with us and has survived many tasting sessions (and especially verdicts), the first whisky that comes in mind is the GlenDronach.

We’ve owned and enjoyed several expressions, from core range to single casks, to different finishes and back. And although we surely had our favourites, they all contain that typical Glendronach ‘oaky raisins’ character which we are truly, madly, and deeply in love with. We do not exaggerate.

This Cask Strength Batch 3, that has matured in a combination of Oloroso and PX sherry casks sounds very promising. Let’s put it to the test, we will report to you objectively…

Tasting notes

Nose

Almost every Glendronach is easily recognized by the smell of raisins, this one smells a bit like rum. A hint of chocolate and a bit of cocos are gently leading the way.

Palate

Barley, golden sultanas, some red fruit, pencil shavings, or should we say ‘freshly sawn oak’? Chocolate peeks through, but the real taste of a sherried whisky remains silent in our opinion. Even when we add a few drops of water.

Finish

A combination of dried fruits, oak and milk chocolate makes this a gentle and elegant whisky.

We can’t really say this one delivers as much as the other GD’s we’ve owned. It feels like a young whisky, the ABV of 54,9% doesn’t make up for it. Still a bang for your buck though, but we prefer an A’Bunadh to bring you an affordable cask strength sherry-experience.

What can we say? Did we expect too much, or are we just spoiled by the greatness of the 15 and 21 years old? Not to mention the single casks, which are amongst the best. We did expect more of a sherry-punch to be honest, nevertheless is this a classic Highland Harmony.