Ctrexman
GlenDronach Allardice 18 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
April 30, 2020 (edited June 26, 2021)
Well I think the 12 yr GD is great ($60ish). The amazing 15 yr though more $ is absolutely worth it ($90ish). I paid $173 out the door(most ive spent on a bottle) for this 18y and honestly have no regrets, zero buyers remorse. While I completely understand the concept of diminishing returns this scotch is so exquisite and utterly magnificent it somehow easily justifies its pricetag. Poured neat the nose is candied fruits, crumb cake, decadent caramelized brown sugar/dark toffee with orange marmalade,refined malt and mature oak. It is very complex and adding a drop or two will awaken even more. Luscious mouthfeel leads palate of dense aged malt, thick toffee and fudge with supporting sherried fruits and sweet smooth barrel. Repeated tasting reveals hints of honeydew, macadamia and leather. Very rich rewarding scotch if you take your time. There is no sharpness, no spike its so restrained yet bursting with flavor at same time. Finish is forever with melted caramel, malt, faded fruits, nuts and slightly drying oak giving balance. Make no mistake this is heavenly nectar that anyone who claims to enjoy scotch should at some point try. I don't think a pour is even close to enough, buy a bottle and explore.......97/100.......best scotch ive had to date. Im sure spending more, maybe much more will surpass this but alas we come back to diminishing returns. All I know is this- This GD18 is $173 well spent........side note: 84 for a score here is a fucking joke
173.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@Ctrexman Believe it or not but that's a price jump from a year ago. Both were $15-20 cheaper!
@Soba45 Good god if I found either of those at that price I would be buying several of each, probably case of both for posterity
@Ctrexman Yeah at that point a stretch. Around the $120 USD mark here which is decent value. the 21 is $145
Bottle kill: Last poor tonight , this maintained its quality throughout. Just a fantastic scotch. I wont however be replacing, at this price point I want to try other offerings. I saw the new Garrison Cowboy Whiskey release tonight for $221.....that me be my next high ticket bottle
Had the 12 for the first time today, a proper single malt indeed.
It's a good time to buy some more bottles of GD18. Remember, distillery reopened in 2002 after being mothballed since 1995, so in 2020 we will see the first batches of 'real' 18 yo Allardice. Previous batches are around 22-23 yo, despite the modest '18' on the label. Check the bottle code before buying!
Nice review and yeah not sure how that official score came about. The great thing about this dram like the Bunnahabhain 18 is a yeah or so later it's still awesome albeit in a different way :-)
Ok ok. I heard a lot of good things. But you refreshed my curiosity about this whisky again so I ordered a 4cl sample of it just now. Looking forward to it.