GlenDronach Peated Port Wood

Another of the bonus samples from the SDT. This one was provided by @LeeEvolved. Peated Portwood is a European exclusive release from GlenDronach that Lee was so excited about he blindly ordered 3 bottles. This NAS is bottled at 46% ABV and is non chill filtered and natural color of a beautiful ruby peach. The nose opens with a sugary sweetness and plenty of red fruits. Raspberries, red grapes and strawberries, but more like strawberry candy than actual strawberries, think Jolly Rancher candy. Some sweet port wine notes. A very mild smoke and more fruits. Peaches and apricots. Floral notes, light honey and oak. Not much more than that really, which is disappointing. The palate follows the nose, both in flavors and lack of complexity. Sweetness followed by a mid level peat. A little earthy and ever so slightly bitter with a bit of a vegetal feel. Some light spice, maybe white pepper. Peaches, sea salt, faint port notes and some light oak. A medium to light bodied mouthfeel that is oily and mouthwatering. The finish is medium short with smoky peaches, faint port notes and a light peat. The nose showed promise, but it quickly failed to deliver on that promise by showing a fairly simplistic profile. Sweet with a little peat, a little port and a decent amount of fruits. At times the fruits felt more artificial than natural, but honestly this is a nice easy sipper. One to sip and relax with and not one to ponder over. Probably best for late spring/ early summer. At first it was a 4, then a 3.75, then a 3.5, but late in the game it came back to a 3.75 so that’s where it will stay. Cheers