Glendronach 12 Years Old Sauternes 46% NV

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (84)

I find it fantastic that the good people at Glendronach know how to spell Sauternes. I wouldn’t say all Scottish distillers and bottlers know that, how many ‘Sauterne’ have we seen?

Colour: gold.

Nose: not the usual Glendronach, as you may have guessed. I find slightly sour grapes and raisins – not a bad thing – and then rather mirabelles and apricots, as well as a little honey and chamomile tea. I don’t find many spices, so not sure this was actually French oak. It should have been, but I don’t find any evidence.

Mouth: nah, this works. Same ripe mirabelles and apricots, quinces, then more and more custard and plain vanilla, which, indeed, rather hints at American oak. A little porridge, perhaps. Also honeysuckle and light cinnamon.

Finish: good length, rather on soft and rounded Christmas spices. Sweet gingerbread. Greener spices and strawberries in the aftertaste – maybe it was French oak, after all.

Comments: very well composed, the wine doesn’t clash at all. It’s not even too Sauternes-y

Gal Granov (87)

Nose: lovely and fruity, with hints of fresh oranges and nectarines, with a touch of ripe apricot and red apple. Some exotic fruit (exotic if you’re in Scotland I mean) : Melon, Banana and some wood, but not a lot of that. fresh and fruity, yet creamy. a very nice combo.

Palate: Big and fruity, on the palate with a bit of pepper to balance that, creamy and malty, then gets even more fruity and buttery : toasted oak, butter, cream and a hint of sultana and sugar, with orange peel to balance the sweetness with a nice bitter/zesty note.

Finish: citrus fruit, creamy vanilla, wood and spice, with a touch of ripe melon and raisin.


Bottom line:

A very sweet, fruity and enjoyable dram, and a much more successful wood finish than the 18 Port finish (IMHO). The sherry casks and wine at this young age do work wonderfully well. An easy sipper, you can find yourself pouring more and more. Highly addictive ;)

BOW (87)