At the end of the 1960’s, GlenDronach distillery was expanded from two to four stills. When the new owners took over, there were only a few 1968 / 1969 casks among the 9000 casks maturing in the warehouses. It’s not yet clear what the plans are for those casks, so for now the 1971 releases are the oldest.

GlenDronach 39 yo 1971 (48,8%, OB 2010, Oloroso sherry butt #489, 541 btl.)

Nose: compared to the 1978, it’s clearly darker and more candied. Its smell of strawberry / raspberry ganache (chocolate cream used to fill pralines) reminds me of the workshops of the famous chocolatiers here in Belgium. Lovely cocoa really. Sugared nuts (hazelnuts, almonds). Fresh figs. Raisins. Milk chocolate mendiants. Oranges. A very light meatiness as well. Balanced hints of pine wood with a soft hint of smoke. Really good. Mouth: rich and mouth-coating with big hints of coffee and bitter-sweet notes of dark chocolate. Intense dried fruits. Walnut skin. Clear oak now, a little tannic maybe, but overall the wood is not too invasive. Finish: very long, heavily sherried and a little dry.

Like last year, the GlenDronach 1971 has a more classic profile than its 1972 sister. Perfect balance with all the flavours you’d expect. 
An interesting cask but a bit overpriced.
Around € 370.

Score: 91/100