GlenDronach Port Wood

2.5 stars - Nice, but… First half of the bottle: Tastes like someone served Glendronach 12 in a red wine glass from last night they forgot to rinse out. What I love about Glendronach is fighting the port and has a very tannic bite. Second half, months later: Pure gold and a wonderful delight. However, the Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 gives me the same ride for half the price.

NOSE Grapey sweet, brown sugar, malty graham, banana, vanilla taffy and some very light baking spice. Aroma carries a warm dessert-like profile that’s heavy on the dark grapey fruit notes but with a nice malty and lightly spiced backbone. PALATE Grapey dark fruit, malty graham, char, blackberry licorice, baking spice and a touch of citrus, nuts, char and metal. Not quite as warm as the aroma, and not quite as well integrated, but instead bold with the port notes punching through almost, but not quite, overshadowing that malty spicy backbone. FINISH Med-long -> Port sweetness, malty graham, nuts and char. The finish is a lovely fade from sweetness to a subtle char that, if I’m honest, is my favorite part of GlenDronach Port Wood. It makes me want to come back for more.