Glendronach 39 (OB) 1971 Cask 489

Part 3 of 3: The final epic dram for tonight is from my favourite distillery Glendronach.

Glendronach 1972 Cask 718 is my favourite whisky and upon the bar manager, Natasha's suggestion I am trying the 1971 Cask 489. So far the 70s expression of sherry from Glendronach seems to have much more refinement and complexity than the 1990s (more heavily sherried expressions) and with the prices of the new batches ever increasing, I am grateful for the chance to try this bottling of glendronach to end the night.

Initial Nose: Rich wonderful sherry notes, sweet toffee, raspberry, fruit juice, oily, light sulphur, raisins,

Nosing after time: slight varnish, earthy, mossy, coffee, nosing becomes darker but in an extremely pleasant way with the robust fruit notes toned down to a fruit sherbet. Dried figs and walnuts

Palate: Toffee, light moss, light coffee, umami, syrup, milk & dark chocolate, powdery texture, high quality mushroom soup with a dollop of cream.

Finish: coffee notes with earthy umami, slightly drying... enjoyable but not as intense and long as the 718

Wow...... Glendronach 1972 cask 718 was/is my favourite whisky but the nose of this 1971 cask 489 is an equal competitor and dare i say providing an earthy balance to the fruity awesomeness of the spirit. Old Oloroso sherry cask are wonderful and Glendronach yet again does it amazingly. This beast of a dram is a wonderful expression of the pleasant earthy notes that comes from Oloroso sherry. Zero carbon bitterness but a pleasant umami bomb on the palate with a slight cream that helps balance out the dram. A wonderfully clean dram that does Glendronach justice. Although this is an amazing dram, my flavour profile still leans towards the robust fruitiness of the 718 and it still reigns supreme.

Glendronach 39 (OB) Cask 489 1971

Glendronach (1971, 39 Years, Oloroso Sherry Butt, ABV 48.8%)