GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 8

Nose: Salted caramel, bitter chocolate, vanilla, floral notes, citrus oils and pith, some oak. Definitely a single malt, possibly Speyside. Berries, malt, and honey. My guess is around 55%+ ABV, aged 10-15 years, possibly ex-bourbon. Plums, figs, raisins, nutmeg, and black pepper. A pleasant, subtle experience overall. Palate: Noticeable oak with a bite. I suspect some sherry cask influence due to a musty red fruit character. Black pepper, baking spices, grilled under-ripe nectarines, green and black olives, cherries, chocolate, and over-roasted coffee beans. Excellent flavor balance, with everything turned up. It coats the entire palate and develops beautifully. Medium-heavy mouthfeel. Finish: A strong wave of ethanol and oak, quickly followed by dark fruits. Maple syrup and berry pie filling appear, then espresso. Barrel char is present, along with over-roasted peanuts. A hint of mint, citrus oil, and floral perfume emerge before fading. The finish is long. Other observations: I missed the region, only partially identified the cask type (no ex-bourbon involved), was slightly off on the ABV, and only partly guessed the age. I'm perfectly content with that! I like this. A lot. The rich, dense sweetness layered with potent oak at a high ABV is superb. Unlike some sherry casks that produce overly sweet, sulfurous funk bombs, this one is well-integrated, still showcasing the malt whisky underneath. As someone who appreciates high proof, the 61% ABV makes me even more pleased. It would serve as an excellent dessert whisky. This is another one I might seek out a bottle of. This tasting experience has been fantastic. I've learned a great deal about my palate, my preferences, and tried many things I wouldn't have otherwise due to availability or personal inclination. While my leanings remain towards Bourbon and Islay, I'm now much more open to other styles than before. It was also highly enjoyable to exercise my palate and assess my ability to discern specific characteristics. I look forward to doing this again next year and comparing my performance. Blind tastings are an excellent tool for palate development; I highly recommend them. Thank you for joining me on this journey. Cheers until next time!

Flawless. That is my assessment, thank you kindly, we shall reconvene on my subsequent spirits review... Alright, I believe you merit further examination from me, an individual who adores Glendronach and is currently captivated by this particular bottle. This spirit is simply superb. I am now aware of seven additional batches, so we can confidently state that the expedition into remarkable spirits has only just begun. Presented at 61% alcohol by volume, with a naturally deep color. Aged in Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso Sherry barrels. On the nose, a masterpiece. The most potent Mocca scent, Coffee, Chocolate. Oranges, Orange Marmalade, dark chocolate. Dried oranges, reminiscent of Turkish delight. Following the initial taste, you encounter maraschino cherries and more chocolate. Medicinal syrup, spun sugar, sugar syrup; damp notes are also present, like an old study. The palate is so satisfying, no alcohol burn, just incredible tastes: orange syrup, milk chocolate, brown sugar, maple-infused honey, and peaches preserved in syrup. All enveloped by a peppery sensation, truly astonishing. The finish is also magnificent. Coffee, oranges, and a few sulfurous notes. There is this peppery quality blended with dark chocolate. It also presented me with hay, chocolate milk powder, and a gentle smokiness. Even the empty vessel offers an experience. It smells like a breakfast diner, with pancakes and maple syrup. ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL. In summary, acquire this immediately. Excellent value, exceptional spirit, I have no doubt it will rank among my top ten spirits of the year, and I have awarded it a perfect score of 100 out of 100, because it is perfect. Do not even share it; keep it for yourself. Cheers.

I have to comment on these "professional" reviews. One particular reviewer gave this a very high score... I struggle to find words for how incorrect I think that is. But anyway. So, this is supposedly mostly 10-year-old whisky, but since it's non-age-stated, we can't be sure they didn't include younger components. Nose - quite sharp and acidic, the alcohol is intense. Notes of chocolate and vanilla are present, along with citrus and more alcohol. Adding water reduces the alcohol's intensity but doesn't change the other aromas. Taste - youthful and spirited. The PX sherry contributes sweetness, vanilla, and chocolate, while the Oloroso adds some dark chocolate notes and possibly some fruit. Water makes the whisky more bitter, though it still focuses on the same flavor profile; I'm fine with it either way. A perfectly drinkable, high-proof scotch, but its youth and overall quality are nothing special. A solid average score for me. Again, the notion that this deserves a top score is so baffling I can't even begin to explain it. I'd rate it more like a 75 if you're a big fan of this style, or a 65 if you're not. It's certainly not a 90 by any measure. However, it is a massive UPGRADE from the previous terrible batch. I am actually enjoying this, but the price point of $100 feels wrong. This is not a $100 whisky.

The initial pour from a recent outing to a New York City establishment - This marks my second Glendronach Cask Strength tasting, following Batch 2. While Batch 8 is certainly decent, Batch 2 resonated more with me. My affection for Glendronach stems primarily from its rich, full-bodied character and multifaceted sherry finishes. The sherry notes in Batch 8 are less pronounced and less striking than in some of my favored Glendronachs, with a more dominant spiciness present here. Regrettably, the spiciness lacks distinctiveness. This is something I would try again if presented with the opportunity. More so than many other spirits, my palate reacts uniquely to Glendronach with each sampling. I'm uncertain as to the reason. For the moment, I find this to be a pleasing, effortless, and reasonably enjoyable spirit, though not among Glendronach's finest.

Appearance: amber +2, high viscosity. Nose (with water): raisins, dried fruits, apricots, plums, toffee, vanilla, milk chocolate, burnt sugar, licorice, rum cake. Palate (with water): spicy arrival, rich, full, oily, sweet (toffee, vanilla, milk chocolate, crème brûlée), apricots, plums, raisins, briny, rum cake, damp oak. Finish: long, with a sweet-oaky-licorice aftertaste. Concluding thoughts: I just opened this bottle and was curious due to mixed reviews. In my opinion, it's good. At 61% ABV, it's powerful, yet enjoyable and balanced even at that strength (though a bit hot, but who minds a sherry bomb's punch?). I'll let it rest and oxidize for a month to see how it evolves.

A 61% ABV sherry bomb from cask strength... Presents a great color with a thick, lingering coat and visible legs. The nose carries sweet molasses, dark fruits, and a soft spice, surprisingly subtle for over 60% ABV. The palate is rich and spicy, with a strong oloroso sherry presence, candied almonds, rich honey, maple syrup, and a mocha coffee finish. Overall, a bold yet controlled cask strength offering from the esteemed GlenDronach.