Over the previous fifteen years I reviewed the GlenDronach 15 Years a number of instances, the 18 Years, 21 Years, 10 Years, the NAS expressions, Grandeurs, casks strengths and a large sequence of single cask releases all the best way again to the 1968 cask #1.
By some means I by no means printed a assessment of the Glendronach 12 Yr Outdated, despite the fact that I positively tried it a number of instances since its relaunch in 2009. There’s all the time some batch variation however the 12 Years by no means actually impressed me.
After I noticed the bulletins of the redesigned Glendronach bottles in July 2024, I needed to give the 12 Yr Outdated one other likelihood. Personally I believe the brand new label and bottle design are good and fashionable, however the cardboard packing containers are wobbly and a little bit of a letdown. I did just like the spherical tubes higher. Thoughts that the liquid ought to be the identical as earlier than, no adjustments there.
Â
Glendronach 12 yo (43%, OB 2024, Oloroso + PX sherry casks)
Nostril: begins with quite a lot of clove studded oranges, together with malty cookies and gingerbread. Then maple syrup, just a little white pepper, vanilla and candied ginger. A beneficiant layer of pretty plankish wooden too. Additionally (hazel)nutty notes (Snickers) and a faint whiff of spent matches. Pretty light-weight. Nearly good.
Mouth: comparatively fruity (raisins, marmalade, stewed apple) earlier than it turns in direction of nutty notes with toffee and quite a lot of grainy notes behind them (breakfast cereals and toasted bread). A tad spirity and tough, with low precision. Hints of ache au chocolat and walnuts in direction of the tip, in addition to some latte notes.
End: medium size, with extra oranges, hints of cocoa and wooden spice like ginger and pepper.
Common whisky – a traditional entry-level expression in that sense, and actually near position mannequin The Macallan in some methods. There are some good aromas but it surely feels just a little skinny and disappointing on the palate. Usually the primary batch after a (re)launch will get a top quality enhance, however not right here, I suppose. Total a bottle I can’t substitute. Out there from The Whisky Alternate and Grasp of Malt, in addition to loads of native retailers.
