SpartaTodd
GlenDronach Allardice 18 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
October 22, 2019 (edited April 23, 2021)
Big sherry influence. Mine was bottled in 2019 and likely has a minimum of 22-23 year old stock due to the 1996-2002 closure of GlenD and it must have some even older stock, possibly much older. Age isn't everything though and some whisky does not improve past a certain point. Cask quality is super important. However this is whisky made by The Glendronach in the old way with floor maltings and slight peat kilning. They had lots of casks in storage and the legendary Billy Walker went out and bought some back and got more. They are mixing plenty of good aged spirit into this IMHO.
You really need to let it sit and rest for a little bit after pouring or you will get cheated. I recommend pouring and sip, wait 15 minutes and sip again, wait 10-15 minutes and consume. You can bide your time with badminton or preparing a flan but I recommend what I do: Drink Talisker 10 and Distiller's editon to pass the time. You could also consume any of the Macallan 12s and lament the slow decay of the Macallan stock if that is your thing.
This whisky is extremely dark and thick and viscous. Great mouth feel and nice finish. Hold it on the tongue as long as you can and you will not be disappointed. It deserves to be consumed slowly and deliberately like a very delicate and expensive wine while you contemplate your fragile existence.
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@SpartaTodd Ah interesting. Good information thanks for that!
BTW, I have all 2019 Allardice 18 spirit in my collection bottled on 2/25, 4/4 and 10/16. The 4/4 is what I tried and reviewed.
@Soba45, It's interesting. The Allardice 18 still has Billy walker. My recent versions of 12 and 15 and cask strength batch are RB. The GlenD peated I have from 2017 is also BW. There can be quite a bit of time between cask dumping, proofing and bottling so maybe these batches were all vatted or put into marrying casks under BW? Or maybe they just have not reprinted the box yet. lol.
Out of interest if it was a 2019 dated bottling what is the master distiller signature on the bottle casing/box and bottle? Bill Walker or Rachel Barrie?
God I love this review.....badminton and flans is just magnificent
Nice review. I love the Macallan comment! Sadly Glendronach is heading the same way under RB.
How the hell can Distiller give this an 84??? Whisky Tango Foxtrot?
Great review! @PBMichiganWolverine I don't know if you have hitherto unrevealed flan making or badminton interests but I know you have provided an entertaining Macalan moan previously.