Whisky Review – Glendronach 43 1971 (Single Cask PX 2920)

Glendronach 43 1971 (Single Cask PX 2920)


Region: Highland
ABV: 48.6%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask Type: Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon

 

Colour: Deep Mahogany

Nose: Raisin, cinnamon, dates, oak, raspberry, chocolate, chenpi, tobacco, dried mango, leather, plum

Palate: Raisin, leather, oak, tobacco, stewed figs, cherry, milk chocolate, menthol, chenpi

Finish: Long finish, oak tannins, nutmeg, tobacco, more spice

Score: 95/100


Incredible complexity and ever evolving. Personally a big fan of Glendronach, and this is the oldest Glendronach I’ve ever had. The nose greets me with waves after waves of different notes, rich and layered. The palate can back up the complexity I got from the nose as well, lots of old sherry cask notes, rich but not cloying, tobacco dominant with leathery and stewed fruit notes on the side, and a touch of chenpi. What’s even more impressive is it manages to be balance all the subtle notes without the dominate note being overwhelming. Impeccable balance, not just a sweet syrupy malt I would expect with something that’s been sitting in a PX Sherry cask for 43 years. Would definitely need to try more old Glendroanch.

Whisky Review – Glendronach 30 1985 (Single Cask PX 1037)

Glendronach 30 1985 (Single Cask PX 1037)


Region: Highland
ABV: 52.3%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask Type: Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon

 

Colour: Mahogany

Nose: Cranberry, cocoa, mineral, strawberry syrup, herbal, orange peel, nutty

Palate: Pepper, orange, chocolate, cinnamon, mineral, leather

Finish: Long finish, mineral, nutty, kick of spice

Score: 85/100


A fairly disappointing Glendronach single cask, despite 30 years on its belt. It almost seems a bit muted at certain times. Doesn’t have the same punch as the 16-22 year old ones I’ve had before. The notes are still there, just doesn’t stand out much. Doesn’t have the additional layer of complexity I would’ve expected from something this old either. It was good, but not great.

BenRiach 14 Year Old Single Cask Virgin American Oak Finish (Cask 2828)

2cp5jk6v0xwy.jpg

BenRiach 14 Year Old Single Cask Virgin American Oak Finish (Cask 2828)


Region: Speyside
ABV: 55.9%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask Type: ex-Bourbon, finish in Virgin American Oak.

Colour: Chestnut

Nose: Cocoa, apple, orange peel, caramel, oak, icing sugar, ash, oily honey, floral vanilla, mineral, pepper, faint cinnamon.

Palate: Pink bubblegum, malt, strong oak, banana, pineapple, almond, smoke, black tea, apricot.

Finish: Long tannic finish, salt, tropical fruit, oak, caramel.

Score: 88/100


I would describe this as best of both worlds, perfect balance between ex-bourbon cask notes, and strong powerful influence of virgin American oak. The previous virgin oak I had were frankly too oaky, bites your tongue off. This is very complex which is unusual for just virgin oak.

Fruity and malty notes, along with cocoa powder, icing sugar, ash, honey, vanilla, spices, goes on and on. The virgin oak is very apparent on the palate, smack of oak, bubblegum, tropical fruits, smoky black tea, with a long oak tannic finish. Exceptional.