Scott_E
GlenDronach Original 12 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
December 23, 2018 (edited November 25, 2019)
Finally sitting down this Sunday before Christmas Eve. I purchased this for sharing with friends and family for the holiday that is part of the upcoming two days of gathering of food and merriment. I bought this on blind faith looking for a dessert dram.
Sherry forward nose but delicately so. Some baking spices of nutmeg, cinnamon with vanilla bean. Soft fruits of apricots, figs, clementines and raisins. A Demerara sweetness wraps the aromas. The cereal quality reveals itself as it continues to open. Add some almonds and walnuts for good measure. A cognac note is slight and floats about. There’s a great deal going on on the nose. Quite busy and quite welcoming.
In one initial moment, a rush of sweetness, fruitiness and spiciness arrive simultaneously. The mind and the taste buds try to keep up and isolate the flavors. Caramel, vanilla, light brown sugar; apple crumb pie, pears; black pepper and cinnamon. The flavors segue in that linear fashion and lingers on the spicy side where the oak begins to draw out into the fade. This entire flavor is encased is a soft and silky body.
A slightly woody-dry finish with vanilla and caramel with a touch of fresh ginger.
This is quite good and simply enjoyable. Well balanced full of bright aromas and flavors. Sweet and light enough but not excessively to enjoy after a rich meal. This could only be improved in that the palate could be longer lived and the finish could be a little deeper so you can enjoy it longer between sips. For sherry lovers, this is a must to sample and, better yet, own. Now to try the 15 Revival. [90/100][Tasted: 12/23/18]
60.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@Generously_Paul The markings are not obvious. A small dark ink stamp of the back bottom. 2017/07/10 (not sure if that is July or October, lol). I have an older bottle bottled in 2015.
Makes me want to open my bottle. Out of curiosity, when was yours bottled? If it was after 2013 it’s from the new stills. I believe mine was from 2017 so no chance of getting any of that old stock from before they mothballed in the 90’s
Great review, yes it’s an excellent dram and very good value for money.