December is here which means it’s time to start the Christmas countdown. And what better way to count down than with a calendar full of whisky? That’s right, for the next 24 days I will review each day an independent bottled single malt. Therefore all other series (American Monday, Tasty Tastings, Worldwide Wednesday and Peaty Friday) go on break until next year.

On the first day of the Dramcalendar, we have the GlenDronach 1990, bottled by Cadenhead as part of their ‘Small Batch’ bottling series. This 23 years old expression is pretty special for two reasons. One is that it was distilled at a time (1990) when Glendronach still used direct coal fired stills, which were removed in 2006. And second is that it was fully matured in bourbon hogsheads. Especially the latter makes this expression so interesting to try out since Glendronach is first and foremost known for their big sherried whiskies and their very wide range of mostly in wine casks finished bottlings although some of the newer releases are nearly impossible to get nowadays.

May it as it be, time to find out what a ‘naked’ Glendronach has to offer.

Facts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:	GlenDronach 1990
Bottler:	Cadenhead’s
Bottling series:	Small Batch
Vintage:	1990
Bottled:	2013
Age:	23 Years Old
Category:	Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery:	GlenDronach
Cask Type:	Bourbon Hogshead
Number of bottles:	534
Strength:	49.5% Vol.
Colored:	No
Chill Filtered:	No

Nose

Hay bails in the middle of green apple and orange tries. Chocolate brownies fresh from the oven, decorated with raspberries, vanilla pods and lemon zest.

Taste

Unexpected strong. Fruit cake with ginger, honeyed hazelnuts and latte with caramel syrup. More hay bails.

Finish

Long. Spicy and drying. Coffee beans and creme brulee.

Overall

A very exciting Glendronach because it’s so different from other expressions. Highly recommended to everyone who wants to try out a more ‘naked’ than usual expression from this fine distillery. It doesn’t have to be always big sherried whiskies and wine cask finishes!

Score: 88 / 100