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Glendronach 12 Year Old - Original Double Cask

The Reverse Matured

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@markjedi1Review by @markjedi1

4th Feb 2010

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Glendronach 12 Year Old - Original Double Cask
  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    84

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Glendronach was acquired by the BenRiach owners in the summer of 2008. To make that clear to consumers, they 'updated' the name to GlenDronach (with a capital D). And while Glendronach was one of the top 5 selling single malts some 40 years ago, the distillery struggled the last few decennia. In 1996 the distillery was even mothballed for 6 years. Production resumed in May 2002. For some reason, unbeknowst to many (myself included), they filled bourbon casks mainly and after 12 years gave the whisky it's finish in casksOloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry. That, ladies and gents - for those who did not yet fathom this - is the reason for the title of this review.

This GlenDronach 12 Year Old ‘Original’ Double Cask, relaunched in 2009, sold only 9000 bottles in 2008, but in 2009 the new owners were able to boost sales up to a staggering 150.000 bottles!

The nose is dominated by orange marmalade, daisies and lots of bourbon. There is some heather, hay and nuts - the last becoming more prominent upon a second whiff.

The mouth offers sherry and oak, almonds, honey, jam and even a tad of white chocolate.

The finish - reasonably dry - surprises you with its spiciness. Not exactly a grand dram, but very well balanced.

In Belgium, you can buy this bottle for approx. 35 EUR.

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4 comments

@LeBudfrumHull
LeBudfrumHull commented

I was going to write a review of this whiskey when I read yours and it pretty well sums up what I was going to write ... so you saved me some time. Thanks ! The only thing that I would add is that I find the nose reminiscent of Cragganmore. I got this whiskey as a gift and I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised when I first tasted it.

14 years ago 0

@markjedi1
markjedi1 commented

At the time of writing, I had not yet tried the Cragganmore. In the meantime, I have and you are absolutely right.

14 years ago 0

@Wills
Wills commented

Hey Mark

I thought it's very common to age/mature in Bourbon casks and finish in Sherry casks. So I don't really understand the review title. And I thought the 12yo is only matured in Oloroso/PX and not in Bourbon casks. Is the bottle you are speaking about not the standard 12yo? I am confused :S

Btw. I just tasted the Glendronach 12yo the first time, really a very good dram... especially for that price!

11 years ago 0

@markjedi1
markjedi1 commented

Wills, I understand what you mean, but in the case of GlenDronach, they are best known for maturing in sherry casks. So for them to mature first in bourbon and then finish is sherry is something atypical.

11 years ago 0