GlenDronach Allardice 18 Year

Nose: almond, dark stewed fruit, dates, fig, plum, maraschino cherry, custard, mocha, tobacco. thick and viscous even on the nose. There is a tart note here that contrasts all the dark bass notes that elevates the nose. Palate: cherry, plum, raisins, chocolate, slight spicy oak shows up towards the backend. Thick mouthfeel as was hinted by the nose Finish: the age shows itself here with a long dry oaky, with almonds, and chocolate notes This is a 2019 bottling, which is rumored to be well older than the 18 year age statement due to the closure and reopening of the distillery in 2001. Due to this mothballing 2019 is theoretically the last year before the new stocks reaches the minimum 18 year age statement. With that in mind the nose was surprisingly easy on the oak and was instead filled with what I would describe as low bass notes (dark red fruit, tobacco, coffee and chocolate). The palate matches the nose closely, but is a little simpler with a wonderful viscosity. Overall this is my favorite expression of Glendronach's line. Having tasted all but the 21 Parliament, it is also the most unique. I attribute this to the aging solely in Oloroso Sherry barrels, whereas all other expressions in the line are a combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez. I love whiskeys that showcase dark and bassy notes and this expression turns them up to 11. While I will admit that the nose is a bit more complex than the palate, that is just a small flaw in a sea of good.

Nose: Deeply sweet with lucious red fruit backed heavily with oak char and dark chocolate and a hint of warm smoke. Palate: The perfect balance of a sherried scotch. The age comes through significantly on the palate. It's a wave of red fruits and a crash of oak and tobacco. Finish: Long and sweet, like raspberry jam with oak and a spice at the end that bites at the tongue.

Nose: dried fruit, a little wood, brown sugar, whiff of balsamic Palate: dried fruit, some fresh red fruit, light barrel spice, leather Finish: light oak, perfume, candied nuts, white pepper, hint of melon (cantaloupe?) This stuff is really tasty. Great sherry influence and smooth as glass. Pricey. Edit: after bottle sits open a few months it develops a nice maple character on the nose and palate. This becomes more pronounced with a splash of water.,

Very dark in colour yet no peat. Slight taste of Christmas. Yes some floral. Pretty solid drop.