ScotchingHard
GlenDronach Original 12 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
May 15, 2018 (edited November 25, 2019)
33 open bottles in my collection ranked through multiple blind tastings. Counting them down!
#18: Glendronach. Single Malt Scotch. 43% ABV. 12 year old.
Paid $59 for 1L at Duty Free
I will keep buying this.
I had thought Macallan 12 (#27 and marked 80/100) and Glendronach 12 would be similarly rated. Going in blind, I was surprised how obvious Macallan 12 was; the Glendronach 12, in comparison, is much more intricate, charismatic, and the better whisky by a mile. At the moment, Macallan is a distillery cashing in on its reputation; while Glendronach is still a distillery building its reputation. It is incredible how collectable Glendronach has become in a short time, and one can only hope it does not affect the quality of future bottlings. This basic 12 is plump raisins and rumcake on the nose; a balanced sherry bomb in the palate, with red fruits, desert wine, and huge sweetness supported by wood, tobacco, and leather. The finish is long and satisfying.
MARK: 87/100
PREVIOUSLY, ON BATMAN:
#19: Ledaig. $60. 46.3%. 10 years. 87/100
#20: Longmorn. $94. 48%. 16 years. 87/100
#21: Maker’s Mark 46. $35 (375mL). 47%. NAS. 87/100
#22: Benjamin Prichard’s Double Barreled. $104. 45%. NAS. 87/100
#23: High West Campfire. $62. 46%. NAS. 86/100.
#24: Balvenie Single Barrel First Fill. $59. 47.8%. 12 years. 86/100.
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@PBMichiganWolverine yeah, that could definitely be a factor. The new bottlings of the 18 and 21 are magnificent but those are still using older stocks.
@Whiskali i think it has. There’s been a change at master distiller...maybe that has something to do with it? It’s like when a key chef leaves a Michelin Star restaurant...
I read some of the older reviews you guys wrote on GD12 and I wonder if it’s fallen off a bit - I bought and drank a bottle earlier this year and it was good but forgettable; it was watery and didn’t seem to have much life to it. Have any of you had recent bottlings? How did you think it compared?
My personal Whisky of the Year 2017 - can't go wrong with Glendronach 12 yo!
@cascode It could just have been me on the night but given the distillery reopened 2003 or whenever it was the original 12 I had was most likely still much older stock hence the difference. I can still get the 18 quite cheap so that is my go to :-)
@Soba45 - that's a pity about the recent batches - maybe I won't bother.
My last bottle of this was a few years back, but it was most enjoyable. A very deep but also fresh sherry influence. I must abtain another bottle some time. Sherry bombs don't do it for me at all generall speaking, but I make an exception for this and Aberlour Un-chillfiltered 12. Some Macallan 12 is OK - I quite like the Fine Oak, but not the Sherry Oak or Double Cask.
Yeah I had one 2014/2015 which was great. The 2017 wasn't as great sadly. Younger stock
There should be a date code printed on the bottle
@Generously_Paul I don’t know when it was bottled. Is there a way to find out? I got it at Duty Free Americas September 2016 so it is older. They are going to change to steam heating soon for the 12. Hope that doesn’t change things for the worse too much.
@LeeEvolved Thanks man. There will be some surprises definitely
@ScotchingHard yeah—-totally echo Lee”s sentiment—-looking forward to your top 10
@ScotchingHard - man, I truly am enjoying this countdown to number 1 you’ve been doing lately. Watching the malts get better and better, and typically agreeing with your ranking and ratings, this has become like watching serialized TV to me. When you get close to the top 10, and eventually top 5, I hope you leave cliffhangers and plot twists, as well haha. In the immortal words of American Top 40 radio host, Casey Kasem, this is a long distance dedication to every whisky lover. Keep up the good work. I’m lovin’ it. Cheers.
Just curious as to when yours was bottled. I’ve got a 2017 that I haven’t opened. I’m sure it will be fantastic but it will be interesting to compare.
Yup the Mac 12 looks the part but just doesn't hold a candle flavour wise to glendronach.