GlenDronach Traditionally Peated

Possibly the Magnum Opus of Glendronach, not an absolute showstopper but such a steal of a Whisky at one of thee most affordable prices in the market now you just can’t say no. A mastery of the art sherri-ing whisky. The combination of Olorosso and Pedro Ximenez shows the Dronach name still means business. The sherry barrels balance out a light peat on the end of the grits journey, really coming togther with the light choclate notes of the Port Cask finish to make what would be an absolute sweety of a whisky a more balanced and nuanced dram. After attending a guided tasting with Master Blender, Rachel Barrie you can really see the works of the other 3 distilliries core under her portfolio shine on this Single Malt The Peat is done traditionally at the end of the malting process paying ode to how whisky was originally done. I can even taste Vanilla and Pine notes softly off the peat as the peat is sourced from the Caladonia Forest beds. Glendronach has always been known for being an industry leader in using Sherry Barrels and the peating techniques introduced in the last 5 years at Benriach show devidends here to a brand now really well known for Peating softer Orchard style Speysides. To top it off the experimental aging techniques seen at Glenglassaugh really show that Dr. Barrie is a creative genuis and we can see here with the double sherry and port finish leaves no doubt on her williningess to experiment. I won’t leave too much for the tasting notes as regardless if you enjoy sherried or smoky whisky this bottle is something to appreciated purely for the craftsmanship alone Nose: Smoke, Candied Orange, Sherry Palate: Dried Fruits, Smoke, Peat, Chocolate, Xmas Spice Finish: Cream, Eafthy, lingering sugar granoule 4.75/5

Nose: a nice subtle peat with a equally balanced fruitiness. Also marzipan, nutty chocolate, later fresh ground coffee and more dark chocolate and soft dates. Palate: super sweet with a gentle peat, very smooth and while still very flavorful more on the light side of intensity (but not at all weak - just gentle) also some very nice oaky cask character. A very round and well combined whisky. This is one of those few whiskies that get better with every sip. There is not much this one doesn’t offer. I really like it especially because of the mild peat note. Glendronach doesn’t usually do peated whiskies as far as I understand it - they really should - works really well together with their base character.

Pub night with another bottle from Scotland. This one was an absolute delight. The nose delivered what you would expect and did nothing to prepare you the complete opposite thing you were expecting on the palate. Water sweetened the palate and opened it up in a way that made me very happy to have the chance to have a dram! N: burnt orange smoke from a fire just started toffee burnt applewood, honey, baked apples. P: Earthy, deep smoke, orange and cloves F:Long minty eucalyptus

Pretty nice stuff. It was very basic on the nose and reminded me of heavily peated whiskies but on the younger side. Maybe some oak in there as well but the sherrys only showed up the finish and made the dram sweet in a great way. A good one from Glendronach for the price but I’m a hard pass on most of their lineup since they were bought out by BF who chill filters Glendronach now..

Nice peaty smell when opening the bottle. Unfortunately this disappeared quite fast. Slightly smoky, but no more than that. Nice oaky flavours though. Red fruits. Well rounded, full bodied. Would have preferred a bit more peatiness though, but a good dram nonetheless!

Toffee, a blunt & earthy peat, black pepper, light fruits, a little salt. Unexpected but solid.