The GlenDronach

PERFECTING THE ART OF SHERRY CASK FINISHES FOR 192 YEARS

The GlenDronach is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, creating richly sherried Highland Single Malts for the best part of two centuries. When James Allardice first had his vision of distilling in the “Valley of the Bramble”, otherwise known as the Valley of Forge, Australia was just erecting its first street lamp in Macquarie Place using whale oil and the monarch was George IV.

These days getting to find such gems is a little easier, and in the case of GlenDronach, you’re best to head towards Speyside from Aberdeen, a road well-travelled by whisky explorers, before darting off to the east and into the East Highland hills and into the valley of Forgue.

Upon arrival Glen House greets you. A house full of history and grandeur rumour has it the building, built in 1771, is haunted by a Spanish lady who travelled to Scotland in a sherry cask. Locals will tell you that she is quite partial to “the odd tipple now and again”, and after an afternoon at this distillery so will you. Salud, we say.

The Glendronach style can be described as a “true Highland style”, which indeed references it as a big and robust spirit. The type of spirit that will stand up well to long periods of maturation. Particularly in sherry casks. This is something James Allardice recognised early on as he pioneered the processed of maturing whisky in Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks. Today that work is being continued by the current master blender, Rachel Barrie.

One of Scotland’s rising stars, Barrie has most recently been working on the relaunch of an old favourite that went out of production in 2015. The Glendronach Revival (15-year-old) had been a victim of its own success, its popularity creating a shortage of the aged stock needed to keep the supply flowing. Barrie is bringing the Revival back to life – and you can expect to see new inventory in Australia early next year.

Drinks Trade was fortunate enough to get a sneak preview earlier this year, and the 15-yearold is showing plenty of ripe dark fruits and honey with an elegant silk-velvet chocolate finish, derived from a maturation period in ex-Oloroso and PX Spanish oak casks from Andalucía. The Revival is bottled at 46 per cent ABV.

At the tasting, Barrie said, ‘Today marks the return of The Glendronach Revival aged 15 years, an iconic aged expression of critical acclaim, revered by connoisseurs around the globe. We continue to work towards mastering the art of sherry cask maturation, and our Highland whiskies are recognised for their deep colour and rich flavour profiles, which range from sweet fruity flavours, from the Pedro Ximenez casks we select to the dry and nutty notes, from superb Oloroso casks. Our well-kept secrets have been guarded for nearly 200 years by a parliament of rooks who love The GlenDronach so much they try to nest in the warehouses. The distillery folk believe as long as the rooks remain at the distillery, it will be good for the whisky.’

In April 2016 the GlenDronach Distillery was purchased by Brown-Forman in a deal that included BenRiach and Glenglassaugh distilleries and one that many locals believe was a deal that may never be repeated. The group of distilleries, in particular, GlenDronach, are highly revered in Scotland and around the whisky-loving world. An exceptional addition to the Brown Forman portfolio.