GlenDronach 26 Year Old (1993, Cask No. 8933)
Cask Info: Matured in ex-Pedro Ximenez casks.
ABV | Chill Filtration | Natural Color | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
57.2% | No | Yes | €230 |
Nose: It’s sweet, full-bodied, but at the same time somewhat refreshing. First, I get raisins, overripe strawberries, chocolate fudge, and that caramelized topping on crème brûlée. Time reveals green apple, ginger, and a touch of chrysanthemum tea. There’s slight guava sourness in the background, which might explain the refreshingness. The aroma is satisfyingly complex.
Palate: Sweet on arrival with a buttery mouthfeel. Toffee, cherry jam, and lots of spices — cloves, cardamom, as well as ginger roots. The woodiness comes through with chewing. It’s well integrated without being too astringent.
Finish: The finish is long and predominately spicy. Sandalwood, baking spices, and a bit of dried apricot.
Final Thought: With 26 years in sherry casks, I expect this to be GlenDronach 15 or 18 Year Old gone wild. But no, it’s not. In fact, I don’t even think they’re comparable. This whisky has an interesting combination of aromas without being eccentric. It’s fairly approachable without water. Now the question is: is it worth the money? Given the recent changes at GlenDronach, every bottle that’s NCF and NCA is an international treasure. So if you are a whisky collector, money is a moot point. But as a regular whisky drinker, I prefer the more accessible GlenDronach expressions. Not only are they better value for money, but also they represent what whisky is for — a drink to share with friends!
Girl with Cask Strength Score: 88/100 (Honestly, I’d give it 90 if it weren’t for the inflated price).
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