Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 5 55.3% NV

Professional reviews

Gal Granov (90)

Nose: Very rich, with a lot of golden syrup red apples, and quite some wood which is very nice, I was not expecting that much wood from a relatively young dram as this . fresh sweet doughnut dough, some toffee as well. If you’re looking for some dried fruit you’re mainly going to find white sultanas. A very rich and inviting nose.

Palate: Quite strong on first entry, which is not surprising (Cask Strength, you know), heavy on the wood spices, and the ripe red apples, leather, and oodles of butterscotch (think Werthers’ original sweets), dates, and the odd fig are also present, and despite the high ABV this is highly drinkable and more-ish.

Finish: Butterscotch, pepper, oak and apple peel, sweet and spicy.

Its’s hard to compare this to previous editions, as I have none left, but this is one of the better ones as far as I can remember. It’s got a nice balance of wood, fruit, and spices, with the toffee, and it’s certainly not a sherry bomb if you were looking for one. Well integrated, highly addictive, and the quality is high like we’re used to from sherried Glendronachs. Not a bad price point as well, considering whisky prices nowadays.

BOW (90)

Tasting Notes and Comments by GlenDronach;

GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 5. The whisky has been matured in a combination of the best Spanish Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso Sherry casks, giving the appearance of rich amber edged with gold.
Bottled at cask strength, 55.3%, non chill filtered and at natural colour, on the nose there is a perfect combination of sweet golden sultanas, rich ­fig syrup, ground almonds, orange bitters and a gentle dusting of black pepper.
On the palate, Demerara sugar-glazed dark fruits lighten to apricot syrup infused with stem ginger and vanilla. The combination of elegant sherry influences and robust Highland style creates a perfect example of the traditional GlenDronach character.