Glendronach 12 Review
In-Depth Review
I have praised the folks at Glendronach before because of their commitment to quality, sherried whiskies that provide an unadulterated view into the impressive influence of sherry casks and don’t break the bank. But there is word that Brown Forman – the company that owns Glendronach – may be implementing major changes moving forward. There have been reports of Glendronach losing their “Non-Chill Filtration” labeling, and even some wondering if they will eventually lose their age statements altogether. It seems odd that such a cult brand would move away from some of the things that have made them so beloved but I will try and maintain an open mind. The Master Distiller Rachel Barrie has created some incredible products over the year, so we should have a little faith, right?
But back to the bottle at hand. Today I’ll dive into Glendronach 12, the entry level whisky in the Glendronach range. Matured exclusively in a combination of Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks, this non-chill filtered whisky is presented at 43% and features a beautiful nostalgic bottle design. I absolutely adore the 15 year Glendronach, so let’s see how the younger 12 year fares. Can it live up to its big brother’s reputation? Let’s dive in and find out.
Age: 12 Year
ABV: 43%
Cask: Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry cask
MSRP: $48
Distillery Name: The Glendronach
Review Date: 7/3/21
Color: 14K Gold
Nose: The nose starts off inviting with fresh cut fruit, raisins, melon, and green grass. There is a sweet, syrupy quality like a great dark sugar, but it’s not overpowering. There’s a touch of grape soda and a whole lot of sherry goodness. Not the strongest nose, this is more understated than I had expected but settles down nicely in the glass.
Palate: The palate here can be best described as a gentle explosion of flavor. Initially I was surprised how muted all that sherry influence was, but as I kept sipping, the flavors, the heat, and the sherry started to build and eventually reached a crescendo of complex, delicate, sweet flavors of ginger, tobacco, more melon, and milk chocolate. Then come the orchard fruits, French vanilla beans, and almond. The influence of Oloroso and PX casks means Glendronach 12 leans on the sweeter side, but never becomes a total sherry bomb. The front of the palate is light, with more flavors and an oily mouthfeel building on the middle and back of the palate. There is a low to medium level of heat, with the spice covered up by all that oily sweetness.
Finish: The palate settles into a chewy finish of medium length and features more wood and baking spice influence. Cardamon, nutmeg, and more ginger all come through.
Final Thoughts: This is a fantastic sherried Scotch for under $50. Glendronach 12 is a great choice for someone looking to explore the world of PX and Oloroso influence without splurging on a more expensive bottle from the well-known brand from Easter Elchies. It’s a more complex whisky than most 12 year olds, and may be my favorite choice at the under $50 price point. It gets you very close to its older brother then Glendronach 15, but at almost half the price at most stores. This is a big recommend for those looking for an exciting non-chill filtered bottle (for now) that may fly under the radar for most.
