GlenDronach Revival 15 Year (2018 Re-Release)

I hadn't had the chance to try the original 15 Revival so I can't compare this to its predecessor. That was aged exclusively in Olrosso sherry casks while this one also spent time in PX casks. Nose: Absolute sherry bomb, as one would expect from Glendronach. Loads of dark fruits: dark cherries, plums, blackberries, and grapes. I also get the new car leather I often associate with sherried scotch. Cola, dark chocolate, vanilla, banana, and, toffee round what is a very sweet nose. Palate: Heavy sherry once again. Cola and Christmas pound cake. Plum, fig, and cocoa. It's got a velvety texture. All very standard notes for a sherried Highland, though I find this to be the most rich and cohesive of the bunch that I've tried so far. Finish: Sharp transition from sweet to heat, which I'm enjoying. There's a nice kick that reminds me that this one is a bit stronger than the average Scotch at 46%. Cinnamon and pepper spice, moderate to long finish. Overall, a solid sherried Highland. Upon cracking the bottle, I had this pegged as a shoo-in for 5-star rating. I was prepared to write it up as a game-changing, bar-setting Highland malt. After a month and a few subsequent tastings, I've determined that while it's far above average, it doesn't quite reach the summit. It's damn good, and if you see for it under $100, I'd highly recommend a purchase. At $90, I think it's a fine value. Bottled at 46% with dual sherried cask aging, this is a respectable dram. This and it's 12 year old younger brother are fantastic values, and I look forward to trying the 18 next. So far, Glendronach stands out as the pound-for-pound king of sherried Highland Scotch, and that's due in no small to the fine effort produced with this 15 year old.

You won’t be disappointed with this bottle, just buy it! Just a slight notch better than the 12 and no where close to the 18 but still good.