Wet pine bough, tobacco leaf, tea, light rancio, and dark fruit aromas on the nose, as the sherry cask lets you know it’s in the game. More pronounced sherry notes on the palate—chocolate brownies, tiramisu, and a hint of candle wax. Water unlocks chocolate, baking spice, and cinnamon bread. Smooth and creamy on a finish that adds drizzled caramel and honeyed almonds. Balanced sweetness and very smooth sipping—a treat for sherried scotch fans.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Summer 2021)

The oldest of the fifteen expressions in Batch 16 of GlenDronach’s single cask release program, this cask-strength offering has been matured for 26 years in a Pedro Ximénez sherry puncheon. The nose yields fresh-from-the-oven Christmas cake, cherries, nutmeg, and sweet leather. Viscous on the palate, with dark sherry, raisins, plain chocolate, tangy orange, and caramel. Prickly chili and dates in the long finish. (546 bottles) £310

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Summer 2018)

As with previous batches, this was matured in a mix of Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry butts, puncheons, and quarter casks. The nose offers quite subtle sherry, malt, vanilla, dark chocolate, and black treacle. The palate is notably spicy, with hot ginger, black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon, along with sherry, cocktail cherries, more dark chocolate, and bitter coffee. Long, oaky, spicy, and drying in the finish.

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Spring 2020)

The rose-gold tint of this natural-color whisky serves as a visual hint of its heavy port cask influence. Dominated on the nose by butterscotch and caramelized sugar, maple syrup, pralines, candied pecans, dates, and syrupy stewed plums. A silky but weighty palate revels in raspberry jam, raisin bread, semi-sweet chocolate, toasted nuts, dark sea-salt caramel, and gentle spice, concluding with a balanced finish of raspberry-dark chocolate squares, tobacco, and ginger.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Spring 2021)

Matured in oloroso sherry casks. Confident plum, prune, and raisin notes on the early nose, with developing ripe cherries, sherried fudge, and resin. A slightly earthy undertone. Viscous in the mouth—very sweet—with developing tingling spices, then darker fruit notes emerge, with licorice and plain chocolate. The finish is long, with enduring dark chocolate and fruity spice. (1,180 bottles)

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2017)

Port Wood is a limited-edition 10 year old expression, matured in Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry casks, followed by a port pipe finish. Gingerbread, figs, dried apricot, and honey on the nose. Viscous, with sweet orange notes on the palate, milk chocolate, and vanilla ice cream. Hazelnuts, cherry pie, and sultanas in the medium-length finish.

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2019)

A nose of bold sherry, worn leather, figs, malt, white pepper, and ginger. Ultimately, a mildly savory note. Full-bodied on the palate, with overripe damsons and more ginger; spicy sherry and dried fruits develop. Medium to long in the finish, with persistent prickly spices, black coffee, and fragrant oak. (240 bottles for the U.S.)

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Winter 2017)

Like previous releases in the Cask Strength series, this was matured in a mix of oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. The nose offers honey, soft sherry, eucalyptus, and cherry blossom. Supple and sugary on the very approachable palate, with nutty toffee, dark sherry, and dark chocolate-coated cherry liqueurs. Long and spicy, with ripe plums in the finish.

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2018)

The latest batch of cask strength GlenDronach should make Aberlour a’bunadh look to its laurels. It is matured in a combination of Pedro Ximenez and oloroso sherry casks. The nose is quite perfumed, with sweet sherry, figs, nutmeg, satsumas, and candied peel. Voluptuous in the mouth, with early bright fruit notes, cinder toffee, and caramel, followed by darker sherry and raisin notes. Lightly peppery and tannic, with plain chocolate. £55

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Summer 2017)

If every fan of sherried whisky has a favorite GlenDronach then this is a long way down the road to being mine. It has a dusty dried orange peel, powdery, and perfumey nose, a soft and sweet round palate with a dark chocolate, tangerine, and pink grapefruit heart, and a balanced and gentle finish. This was probably once a hollerin’ maned lion of a malt, but it’s grown old gracefully and it now purrs and growls beautifully. £80

Reviewed by: Dominic Roskrow (Winter 2010)

GlenDronach is known for its unpeated sherry-matured whiskies. This peated expression was matured in Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry casks, and some port pipes. Hand-rolled tobacco smoke, ginger, honey, malt, and barbecued bacon on the nose. New leather, smoky orange, treacle, and milk chocolate on the earthy palate. Light smoke, wood polish, mixed nuts, and licorice in the lengthy finish. Pleasing balance of sweet, savory, and smoky notes. (£51)

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Spring 2020)

This is non-chill filtered and carries no age statement. The nose is earthy, with damp herbaceous borders, quite acrid smoke, and spicy cranberries. Fresh, juicy red berries on the palate, with background peat smoke becoming ashy, with rich red wine notes. The red wine persists in the finish, accompanied by prickly black pepper. £70; Not available in the U.S.

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Spring 2018)

The first single cask release of GlenDronach for the U.S. by the new owners, and a nice one at that. Silky in texture, polished, and clean on the palate, with light toffee, treacle, cherry bonbon, orange-soaked date nut cake, and chocolate-covered raisin. Never cloying, like some heavily-sherried whiskies can be. Silky, soothing finish. Surprisingly soft and youthful for its age. (A Park Avenue Liquor exclusive.)

Reviewed by: John Hansell (Summer 2010)

Initially matured in recharred puncheons, then transferred for an unspecified period into virgin American oak casks. The nose offers icing sugar and soft toffee, vanilla, clementine, and wood varnish. More icing sugar, with orange and fudge on the palate, plus wood spice and an herbal note. Fruity through the finish, while spice builds, with a hint of aniseed at the close. An interesting alternative to the classic sherry-rich GlenDronach style.

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Spring 2017)

Over the past decade there has been no shortage of Glendronach expressions. I know of at least one 15 year old, an 18 year old, a 19 year old, a 1968 vintage, and four different 12 year old versions. My favorite of the range was the limited edition 19 year old released here in the U.S. about a decade ago. The 1968 Vintage, which you can still find on retailers’ shelves, is also a worthy dram. But this new 12 year old “Original” expression is certainly my favorite of the 12s (and the 15). I feel that Glendronach expresses itself best when it is not dominated by the sherry, allowing a greater balance of flavors. This whisky was originally matured in sherry casks, but was then (fortunately) aged in bourbon casks for the remainder of its maturation. The result? A richly flavored, nicely balanced whisky expressing notes of sherried fruit, burnt caramel, light toffee, and nuts, all underpinned by a soothing malty foundation. Yum!

Reviewed by: John Hansell (Fall 2004)

This batch of GlenDronach’s popular cask strength has been aged in a combination of oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. Malt, honey, rose blossom, and chocolate-coated Turkish Delight, plus emerging vanilla on the nose. The palate is full and rounded, very sweet, with more milk chocolate and very gentle spice. The finish is lengthy, with milky coffee, sweet spices, and subtle oak.

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Winter 2016)

The rich, sweet Sauternes dessert wine adds its signature. Quite lush, with golden raisin, crème brûlée, rhubarb pie, honey-kissed citrus, and creamy vanilla. A lovely example of a dessert whisky — comforting, warming, and embracing. (I would also enjoy this after a brunch of crepes, fresh fruit, and maple syrup.)

Reviewed by: John Hansell (Spring 2011)

Nicely sherried. Rich, with maple syrup, honey-drenched citrus, sultana, and a good dried oak spice finish for balance. Well done for a 12 year old, and definite competition for Macallan of the same age.

Reviewed by: John Hansell (Summer 2010)