GlenDronach Revival 15 Year (2009-2015)

Continuing to sample bottles from my personal stock that have not yet been reviewed. I've been a fan of GlenDronach since my very first taste, and besides these three, I've had the chance to try the 21 “Parliament” and the 25 at a spot in London; they also produce other expressions. GlenDro is known for its sherry influence, which I find appealing. It also highlights the diversity of Scotch whisky; while I'm a big bourbon enthusiast, that spirit offers a limited range of styles compared to Scotch, with sherry-finished or "bombed" whiskies representing one facet of that variety. GlenDronach 12 “Original” A deep amber color, or a clear Pantone 138. The sherry nose is evident with sweet fig preserves, candied walnuts, faint petrol, quince, white pepper (in aroma, not taste), pomander, a bit of vanilla, and a mild spearmint coolness. Compared to the other two, the 12-year is not as smooth or generous as the 15- and 18-year expressions. It has some saline and dates alongside the scents. Ethanol appears at the end, leading to mild chili spice and a rather short finish. The intricate nose is the best part for me. The palate lacks the smoothness of its two older counterparts; the alcohol content is lower; and the finish is shorter. GlenDro 12 can be purchased for around $60. Would I buy it again? Yes. 3.75 out of 5 stars. Non-chill filtered. No added coloring. Matured in both Oloroso and PX sherry casks. 43% alcohol by volume. GlenDronach 15 “Revival” The deep burnt orange color of the 15 is slightly darker than the 12-year; Pantone 153. A sniff from the glass reveals rich and warm scents of Christmas pudding, brown sugar, zesty barbecue sauce, and a hint of salt. The whisky is smoother and more expansive than the 12-year; the texture isn't noticeably thick. Similar flavors to the nose, plus pralines and a bit more saltiness. There's a peanut brittle note on the finish, with white pepper, sweet dark honey yeast rolls, and mild petrol. The GlenDronach distillery was closed for a few years in the late 90s and early 2000s, and the “Revival” name for the 15-year-old expression commemorates the distillery's reopening after that period. The overall impression of this whisky is one of strength, complexity, and refinement. Unlike the dark, cooked-fruit characteristics of many aged sherry-casked whiskies, the Revival shows a certain vibrancy and power, fitting its name and history. It costs about $90 online, but I seldom see it locally. The GlenDro 15 Revival is exceptional. This sherry bomb isn't just a blast of sherry on the nose or palate, but an in-depth exploration of its subtleties. I would enjoy a cask-strength version, similar to Aberlour A’Bunadh (GlenDronach does offer a no-age-statement cask-strength whisky on its site, but none with an age statement). Would I purchase it again? Yes, if I could find it. 4.5 out of 5 stars. Non-chill filtered. No added coloring. Matured in both Oloroso and PX sherry casks. 46% alcohol by volume. GlenDronach 18 “Allardice” The 18-year expression is the darkest of the three: a clear Pantone 159. The nose presents rich raisin paste, toasted and buttered raisin bread, vanilla, apple butter spread, prunes, crème brûlèe, cinnamon, and espresso. It is the richest of the three. The palate begins to show some thickness. Similar to the 15-year, the higher alcohol content is masked by the robust flavor profile. Finishes with some smoked pulled pork, dark chocolate, and a hint of espresso bitterness. “Allardice” is a tribute to GlenDronach’s founder, James Allardice. The impression of the 18-year is a more profound, richer version of its younger siblings. Not just vanilla, but vanilla extract. Not just raisins, but warm raisin paste (if such a thing exists). Not dark plum fruit, but prunes. Not coffee, but espresso. Not chocolate, but warm, melted dark chocolate. Quite different from the 15-year, but outstanding on its own merits. 4.5 out of 5 stars. Non-chill filtered. No added coloring. Matured in Oloroso sherry casks. 46% alcohol by volume. Follow-up: I bought the 50 ml sample (of an 18-year-old whisky!) pictured here in London; I haven't seen those in the U.S. Each of these whiskies, while clearly showing sherry aging, are quite distinct. There's a progression in color and complexity. While the 12- and 15- year are stated as being finished in PX and Oloroso sherry casks, the 18 states only Oloroso—which is a bit surprising, given that PX is darker, and the 18 is darker too. I love both the 15- and 18-year expressions, for different reasons. And the 12, which is considerably less expensive than the other two, offers good value as an introduction to GlenDro’s signature style. These are high-quality whiskies that justify their premium price due to the contents of the bottle, not marketing. Highly recommended. The GlenDronach distillery, established in 1827, has changed ownership a few times over the years. It was most recently acquired by Brown-Forman in 2016. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Nose: Butter, sweet sherry, malt extract, very good oak, pipe tobacco, leather jacket, nut & raisin milk chocolate, anise, and black tea. There's the faintest hint of peat smoke, but it only adds depth without standing out. It's certainly not what you'd call a "peated whisky," and while the smoke note intensifies slightly over time in the glass, it remains a characteristic of the tobacco and leather notes. Palate: An exceptionally smooth arrival with caramel, vanilla, and fudge carried on a wave of malted sherry. Captivating from the very first sip. The palate develops rich dried dark fruits, black cherries, red berries, sweet citrus, and a touch of mixed spice. The texture is creamy, and the palate has a luxurious, seductive, and mouth-watering juiciness. Finish: Medium/long. Soft, supple malt that fades on a layer of sherry, chocolate, tobacco, and vanilla. This whisky strongly suggests very good oak cask influence. It's not dominated by the cask (though the profile is certainly driven by it), but it presents fragrant aromas reminiscent of walking through a dunnage warehouse, filled with the scents of earth, black mold, and sherry. It is, quite simply, a superior sherry bomb that remarkably also showcases a great deal of bourbon-oak quality. I don't know the origin of the barrels, but I suspect they were first-fill sherry casks constructed from ex-bourbon staves. There seems to be little to no European wood influence here. There's a family resemblance to the 12-year-old GlenDronach, but this is a more confident and "mature" whisky in every aspect. It also bears a strong resemblance to the older Macallan 12. Additionally, it shares similarities with the 18-year-old GlenDronach (unsurprisingly), but that one has a drier, nuttier, and more austere profile. This tasting is from a 2020 batch, matured in a mix of oloroso and PX sherry casks. The previous iteration of this whisky, produced until 2015, was exclusively matured in oloroso casks, but this changed when the expression was reintroduced in 2018. I haven't tasted the pre-2016 version in a long time, but I believe these newer bottlings are slightly more "floral" and sweeter. It remains a great whisky, and I would recommend it. Considering its price, it offers fair value for a 15-year-old single malt in 2023. "Very Good": 86/100 (4 stars)

I arrived at my local liquor shop intending to get something special. Perhaps some Japanese whisky; I had sampled Hibiki Harmony some years ago and had been wanting to experience it again as my palate has developed. You see, I recently took a gamble and switched careers, and it didn't pan out for me. However, whatever unpleasantness remains in my mouth from considering how I might have hindered my potential advancement in my former field, I do feel a sense of accomplishment, as peculiar as that might sound. I trusted my instincts and faced it head-on, but as with life, sometimes we triumph and sometimes we falter. But on this muggy and wet Saturday in Central FL, I have succeeded, and in quite a way. I'm observing the limited Japanese expressions available at my local liquor store when my gaze wanders down the aisle, and I spot this single 15 Revival bottle. I rushed over and opened its carton to verify it was genuine, and it indeed was, the last one on the shelf. The easiest choice I've made recently. "Scan it for me, cashier, I have somewhere to be." Since I tried the 12-year expression of Glendronach, which I greatly enjoyed, I had been eagerly anticipating trying this one. The aroma is incredible. Baked spices, sweet sherry cask influences, yet made smoother and fuller with dark chocolate notes. Hints of orange and a certain marshmallow stickiness come to mind. On the palate, the additional three years compared to its younger counterpart are evident: orange, more dark chocolate, the spices that really stood out in the 12-year-old are significantly subdued, and the extra time imparts richness and character. The finish is of moderate duration with an orange note that I don't recall detecting from its younger sibling. This is an exceptionally well-crafted scotch, in my honest view. I also believe that while it is extremely intriguing and complex, it is also something that most whisky drinkers, from novices to experts, will appreciate. I intend to spend more time with this scotch treasure and will later provide a thorough review as I'm sure I will gain a better understanding of this spirit's beauty as I become more familiar with it. Cheers!

Nose - a potent nose! Lots of dried red fruit. Obvious strong sherry cask influence. Mild smokiness too, despite not believing it contains any peat. I detect hints of chocolate and caramel as well. Palate - I get hints of fruit and molasses. I anticipated it would be oily, but it's not as much as I expected. There's some spiciness present. Quite sweet. I taste plums and raisins. It's definitely a sherry bomb! The finish is medium. If you enjoy sherry-finished whiskies, you'll likely love this! It might be my favorite sherry cask whisky I've tried so far in my limited experience!

To be honest, this is one of my preferred pours, and I also like the 12, 18, and 21 year old versions. The aroma is dominated by sweet maraschino cherries, but as the spirit sits in the glass, a subtle whiff of smoke emerges. The taste is robust and sweet, meant to be enjoyed slowly. Plenty of the familiar dark, dried fruits come through. Truly like fruitcake! The finish is moderate, with a touch of wood and spice to balance the sweetness. My bottle is gone, and I'll be buying another!

Dried fruit, raisin, date, honey, nutty, cola. It packs a nice punch at 46% ABV (I don't get why any whiskey is bottled below 45-46%). It doesn't suffer from the sulfurous funk found in many sherried scotches. A really enjoyable pour from a friend's collection, which also happens to be the only scotch there. Turns out it was a gift.