The Glendronach House Editions is a series of whiskies exclusive to travel retail. The compositions are inspired by Seville, Venice and Paris. Each of them starts from their signature Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks, with one additional type specific to each bottling: Palo Cortado, Amarone or Cognac casks. There’s also an increasing ABV across the range.
Released as part of The Glendronach’s 200th anniversary celebrations, they will be a permanent part of the dutyfree line-up. You’ll already find them in European airports with a wider international “activation” in October 2026.
The GlenDronach – The Sevillian Room (43%, OB 2026, Oloroso + PX + Palo Cortado sherry casks)
Nose: I’m picking up a slightly plankish woody note first. This moves towards grainy biscuits, sweet mirabelles and apricot tarts. Then the expected orange juice and candied peels come out, along with sweet almond paste and fresh leather. Perhaps a bit ‘yellow’ for a sherried whisky, if that makes sense?
Mouth: quite light-bodied, with more oak spice coming out than actual sherry. Ginger and cinnamon, along with walnuts and vague sweetness. There’s a loosely defined fruity note but this fades quickly, becoming flatter. Malty notes, some youngish wood again.
Finish: on the short side, with hints of orange peels, roasted nuts and a nice hint of coffee beans.
Not bad on the nose, but it becomes more boring on the palate. Lacking some weight in any case (the modest ABV doesn’t help), which means it leaves too much leeway to the wood. I’d pass on this one. I got a sample from Whiskysite.nl.
The GlenDronach – The Venetian Room (46%, OB 2026, PX + Oloroso + Amarone casks)
Nose: fuller and seemingly more natural. It adds blackberries, some caramelized nuts and hints of chocolate. Maybe some strawberry jam and a hint of cigar boxes. It doesn’t hide the modern wood entirely but it feels a bit more integrated. Later some nougat too.
Mouth: the richness of the Amarone also adds a tangy wine note now. Some herbs along with the usual red berries, plums, grape notes and a bit of drying leather. Then hints of liquorice, black pepper and roasted hazelnuts. Also a hint of heavily toasted wood, American style.
Finish: medium, on forest fruits, hazelnuts and a hint of coffee beans.
Here as well I think the base whisky is a little fragile, but the Amarone does a good job covering it up. If you go back to the Sevillian after this, it is basically wiped out. A nice step up, in any case. Also available from Whiskysite.nl. Score: 84/100
The GlenDronach – The Parisian Room (49%, OB 2026, PX + Oloroso + Cognac casks)
Nose: a nice honeyed element, stewed apples and glazed peaches. Then also blueberries, brown sugar and almond. A lot of sultanas as well. Just a hint of toffee and mild nutty notes. Probably the most fruit and the best balance so far.
Mouth: some berries and Seville oranges but otherwise the fruitiness is far less impressive. Instead there’s ginger and nutmeg, along with walnuts and some floral hints. Leathery notes and more wood than I was hoping for.
Finish: good length, with oak spice, nuts and cocoa.
Nice start, but it doesn’t keep the same qualities until the finish. So there, each of these new Glendronachs has its highs and lows, I’m afraid. Travel retail exclusives, still a hit-and-miss story in my opinion. Score: 84/100