GLENDRONACH PORT WOOD 46% 70CL

Hidden deep in the east Highland hills, The GlenDronach Distillery has been quietly perfecting sherry wood maturation since 1826. The founder, James Allardice, built his distillery in the fertile landscape of the Forgue valley and named it ‘GlenDronach’, which means ‘valley of the brambles’ in Scots Gaelic. Here, he discovered the rich depths of sherry wood maturation, marrying Scottish spirit to Spanish cask. Little has changed over the centuries, their craftsmen use the same iron mash tun, wooden washbacks and saxophone copper pot stills as their forefathers did. Within the range of Spanish oak sherry casks available, The GlenDronach focuses on the marriage of fruity and nutty Oloroso Sherry casks and intensely, rich Pedro Ximénez casks. Alongside the flavour, Oloroso casks give The GlenDronach its signature depth in colour. Pedro Ximénez casks on the other hand provide the signature richness and depth in flavour of The GlenDronach. Their well-kept secrets have been guarded for nearly 200 years by a parliament of rooks, a small group of black birds that try to nest in the warehouses. The distillery folk believe that as long as the rooks remain at the distillery, it will be good for the whisky. The GlenDronach Port Wood is inspired by the historical import of casked port into Scotland during the 19th century. During the 1800s, port was ‘de rigueur’, and many of the finest port pipes would travel from Portugal, down its Douro River, destined for the wine cellars of Scotland’s gentry. Whilst many years have since past, Portugal’s majestic Douro Valley is still renowned for its exceptional port. They have selected some of its finest port pipes to house The GlenDronach for a second maturation period of three years. The Master Blender has expertly combined the whisky from these port pipes, to create a fruit-filled ten year old expression, with layers of ripe berries rolling into its signature long, lingering finish. Tasting Notes: Colour: Intense cherry wood. Nose: Breathe in delightful waves of Victoria plum, bramble and strawberry jam with top notes of cherry blossom and honeysuckle on a base of sandalwood and ginger. Taste: Layers upon layers of rich fruits. Sip blackberry and roasted apple crumble with freshly baked gingerbread, developing into a baked orange and black cherry back-note. Finish: Savour orange peel, sultana and cherry cake lingering into the richly fruity finish.