Review by: zSolaris
Distillery: Glendronach
Bottler: William Maxwell & Co.
Region: Speyside
ABV: 47.8%
Cask Type: Hogshead
Cask Number: 1704
Age: 34 Year. Distilled in June 1975, bottled in 2009.
Color: 1.4, Tawny. Natural Color and Non-Chill Filtered.
Nose: (according to the wife) Smells very similar to a summery fruit cocktail. There’s apricots, nectarines, peaches, pineapples, and a bit of cantaloupe melon. Some simple syrup adds a little bit of booziness to this as well.
Palate: Very rich with a deep, darker fruitiness from the outset. There’s stewed plums, some plum syrup, and a note that reminds me a lot of canned peaches (with the accompanying syrup). These notes start deep and slowly lighten up the longer this whisky stays on the tongue. Towards the end comes a note of a very well ripened melon along with a bit of malt.
Finish: Medium in length. The simple syrup makes a comeback here. It’s almost as if it’s drizzled into a cantaloupe infused spring water. The result is an incredibly clean finish.
Conclusion: For my 200th Scotch review, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be able to taste this very old Glendronach. It’s so fruity throughout. The nose is packed full of orchard fruits, pineapple, and a bit of melon. The palate has some deeper cooked fruit notes and the finish ends on a fruity water one as well. It’s a little different than the sherry bombs Glendronach is more known for but still a fantastic whisky. Would I buy a bottle? Another one to add to the lottery wish list!
Final Score: 86.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 
