Merry Christmas!
This GlenDronach 1972 cask #716 was part of the fifth batch of single cask releases from this distillery. Like most of them it was matured in an Oloroso sherry butt.
The 1972 vintage was included in the first batch from 2009. In total they released 17 single casks from 1972 if I’m not mistaken – the last one was in 2015 and they may never come back again.
GlenDronach 39 yo 1972 (54,4%, OB 2011, Oloroso sherry butt #716, 423 btl.)
GlenDronach 39 yo 1972 (54,4%, OB 2011, Oloroso sherry butt #716, 423 btl.)Nose: it has got this liqueur-like profile, think Cherry Heering, alongside polished oak and lots of jammy red fruits. Old leather, hints of eucalyptus. Chocolate, Christmas cake and Demerara rum. Prunes and black raisins, as well as this floral top note of old roses. Lovely sandalwood as well. So aromatic.
Mouth: deep fruity notes (raspberry, blackcurrant and prunes jump out), very jammy and again with this liqueur-like quality. Also liquorice and mentholated notes, cinnamon and clove. Hints of Turkish coffee. Tobacco notes. Some wood but no disturbing bitter notes.
Finish: very long, with some wood, figs, walnuts and spices.
Very intense sherry maturation. I may not have the same adoration for this kind of sherry bomb as I did when I first tried a 1972 more than 10 years ago, but I still think it’s an outstanding whisky and one of the best you can get in this style. A belter of a whisky.
Score: 93/100