The GlenDronach 21 Years Parliament is the oldest core range expression and one that I hadn’t tried before. It was launched in 2011 and aged in a mix of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.
It has been named ‘Parliament’ after the colony, or ‘parliament’, of rooks that have been nesting in the trees that overlook the GlenDronach distillery for almost 200 years.
GlenDronach 21 yo ‘Parliament’
(48%, OB +/- 2017)
GlenDronach 21 yo ‘Parliament’Nose: a bit of an old-style, autumnal sherry profile. Quite thick and sweet, with toffee, maple syrup and a darker side of roasted nuts. Pecans, walnuts, hazelnut. Tobacco notes. Black forest gateau. Earthy touches. Soaked rasisins. Dates. More towards the bloated PX profile. A little rubber and sulphur as well.
Mouth: again quite sweet and dark, on chocolate, toffee, raisins and some meaty notes. Blackcurrant jam. Walnuts and oak spices. Roasted nuts before it turns back towards cocoa. Not bad but again a little plump, missing some elegance.
Finish: long, with lightly bitter herbs, dark chocolate, raisins and soft wood smoke.
Thick and meaty sherry alright, perhaps too rich for some. Not my favourite in the core range, but I know many people love this one. Prices seem to be rising. Around € 115.
Score: 84/100