GlenDronach Glendronach - 21 Years Old

This whisky was previously called Parliament. Bottling under that name ceased in 2023. Now, this new version will be bottled annually as a limited edition. The whisky is matured in a combination of oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. It is bottled at a slightly higher strength of 48% ABV.

Detailed information
The GlenDronach distillery is built on the banks of the Dronach Burn in the Forque Valley. This is located between Aucharnie and Inverurie, east of the town of Huntley, just outside Speyside. The name GlenDronach means "valley of the Dronach," as the distillery takes its name from the River Dronach that flows past it. GlenDronach was built in 1826 by James Allerdice, the son of a wealthy landowner in the area. Due to neglect and poor management, the distillery quickly declined, burning down completely in 1837. After Walter Scott rebuilt the distillery and resold it many times, it was sold to Teacher's in 1960 and to Allied Breweries in 1976. Little has changed at the GlenDronach distillery since its construction. The two wash stills and the two spirit stills were still fueled by coal until their closure. There are nine washbacks made of Oregon pine. The fire for drying the malt was fueled in the kiln by peat dug nearby. Both new and used sherry and bourbon casks are used for maturation. Water for the production of the spirit and for macerating the barley during malt production is drawn from a spring called "The Source." This spring is located about 4 miles east of the distillery. To cool the condensers, water is pumped from the Dronach Burn. The distillery was mothballed in 1995. After reopening in 2002, the complete range of 12, 15, and 18-year-olds was reintroduced in 2009. Since then, an 8 and a 21-year-old have been released, as well as a regular batch of Single Cask bottlings.

Tasting Notes
Colour: Dark amber. Nose: Elegant and vibrant aromas of ripe autumn fruit, blackberries, candied orange, spicy oatmeal, and toasted oak. Palate: Delicious sherry influences and notes of bitter chocolate, nutmeg, ginger, and English Christmas cake.