The GlenDronach Port Wood Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review
This is a really nice whiskey, super approachable and easy sipping, a go-to when evangelizing for Scotch. From entry to finish, it’s delicate, flavorful and fun. Do I want to spend $90 on it? Nope. It’s not that remarkable to me.
BOTTLES DETAILS
- DISTILLER: The GlenDronach
- MASH BILL: 100% Malted Barley
- AGE: NAS - No Age Statement
- YEAR: 2020
- PROOF: 92 Proof (46% ABV)
- MSRP: $89.99
- BUY ONLINE: Wine-Searcher.com
STEVE'S NOTES
NOSE: Baked Bread | Split Wild Cherry Wood | Grape Jelly | Raisins
TASTE: Honeydew Melon | Wild Honey | Crushed Grapes | Sugar Cookie Dough
FINISH: Beautifully soft.
SHARE WITH: Scotch lovers who are good with a softie, Irish whiskey lovers and newcomers to Scotch who aren’t sure about whiskey without the “e.”
WORTH THE PRICE: Probably not. I’d prefer more complexity—especially barrel notes—at that cost.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar.
OVERALL: This is a really nice whiskey, super approachable and easy sipping, a go-to when evangelizing for Scotch. From entry to finish, it’s delicate, flavorful and fun. Do I want to spend $90 on it? Nope. It’s not that remarkable to me. But if someone told me to bring a Scotch to a party, I’d spend the extra bucks on it. No one will regret it.
BRAND NOTES
THE GLENDRONACH PORT WOOD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
Color: Intense cherry wood
Nose: Breathe in delightful waves of Victoria plum, bramble and strawberry jam with top notes of cherry blossom and honeysuckle on a base of sandalwood and ginger.
Palate: Layers upon layers of rich fruits. Sip blackberry and roasted apple crumble with freshly baked gingerbread, developing into a baked orange and black cherry back-note.
Finish: Savor orange peel, sultana and cherry cake lingering into the richly fruity finish.
DOURO VALLEY PORT PIPES INSPIRE THE GLENDRONACH PORT WOOD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
SCOTLAND—The GlenDronach Distillery is pleased to announce that The GlenDronach Port Wood, a single malt scotch whisky inspired by the rich history of importing casked port into Scotland during the 19th century, is now available nationwide.
The GlenDronach Distillery was established in 1826 by founder James Allardice, at a time when both sherry and port were ‘de rigueur’, with the finest port pipes travelling along Portugal’s Douro River, destined for the wine cellars of Scotland’s high society
Made by our craftsmen using the same, time-honored methods passed down through generations for almost two hundred years, The GlenDronach’s rich, full bodied Highland spirit has been matured in the distillery’s signature Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, followed by a second maturation in some of the finest port pipes from the majestic Douro Valley in Portugal.
Expertly selected and married by The GlenDronach Master Blender, Rachel Barrie, The GlenDronach Port Wood is a rich and fruity expression to be savored.
Master Blender, Dr. Rachel Barrie said, “The GlenDronach means ‘valley of the brambles’ in old Scots Gaelic. We are delighted to celebrate this heritage with a Portuguese twist on our revered Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry cask maturation, which uses the finest Spanish oak. This extra maturation in Port casks imparts a deep cherry wood color and enriches the layers of fruit in The GlenDronach, with delightful waves of Victoria plum, brambles and sandalwood on the nose. Layers upon layers of rich fruit flavor open up on the palate with notes of roasted apple crumble and gingerbread, developing into baked orange and black cherry back-notes.”
The GlenDronach Port Wood is bottled at 46% ABV, and as is the case for all The GlenDronach expressions, is non-chill filtered and absorbs color naturally over time from the Spanish oak in which it resides. It is available for purchase from select retailers across the US. The GlenDronach Port Wood is bottled at 46% ABV, and as is the case for all The GlenDronach expressions, is non-chill filtered and absorbs color naturally over time from the Spanish oak in which it resides. It is available for purchase from select retailers across the US.
Disclaimer: The GlenDronach provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.