GlenDronach Original 12 Year

Whisky is all about bringing memories to you. This wonderful dram does that. Glendronach is one of my favorites distilleries and this 12yo expression is worth every penny you pay for it. Bottled at a fine 43%abv, beautiful chesnut color. On the nose is very appealing, creamy vanilla cookies, cinnamon, sherry, COOKIE DOUGH (it totally reminds me of this, when my mom prepared it to make a lemon pie), prunes, very perfurmed, great aroma: sweet, citric and spicy. On the palate it could be better but it is still a wonderful dram. Creamy sensation, as a grain whisky but full of flavor as a malt. Herbal pleasant dim note, prunes. Mostly cream and vanilla. The aftertaste is medium, with clove and cream. Really interesting. I truly recommend this, you can have it easily and it is very enjoyable. 86 over 100 is a fair score for it.

This dram is special. Very dark caramel color. Butterscotch, pulled taffy, molasses, vanilla cream, raisin with nuts. You also get a hint of orange peel and brown sugar. Mouth feel is viscous and creamy. The finish is long and warming with more butterscotch and a little leather and pre-smoked pipe tobacco.

The expert review on the nose as "dark malt and vanilla" is on target. That transitions to orange peel and grapes steeped in alcohol - and eventually, to butterscotch or toffee. The palate is creamy with dark fruit taffy, then washed away by raisin juices that flow and capture notes of orange and cherries. A dash of malt appears in the mid-palate, before the finish. That ends with a pounding wave of Christmas cake, sherry spice, and ABV. If you pursue a tasting analysis, then you'll detect ginger root and white pepper notes. On the other hand, I cease to look for flavors when the heat starts lighting up my tongue after swallowing. It's then, at that point, my mind translates the texture of finish as if it were a hard-hitting carbonated soft drink - albeit an alcohol driven one. This is what I term as 'effervescence'. When it works, the spirit is suddenly refreshing (or warming, depending on the cask maturation and the season), rather than being a spin on the palate wheelhouse. And with that, I think this scotch makes for the perfect cold night sip. The Glendronach 12 is definitely a step up from the Macallan 12 Sherry Cask. And the best part is: it costs less. My Rating Glossary: Two Stars: "I'd rather be drinking lite beer." Two 1/2 Stars: "Posh rubbish." Three Stars: "I love whisk(e)y. This is average love." Three 1/2 Stars: "May buy again." Four Stars: "I've got to get you into my life." Four 1/2 Stars: "Better than drugs." Five Stars: "Life is good. Whisky makes it better."