Milo013
Flush
This Thursday evening I will be tasting the Glendronach 12 YO "The Original". It is a Speyside Single Malt aged in both Oloroso and PX sherry casks, and bottled at 43% abv. There is no colour added, and the spirit is not chill filtered. I appreciate as much detail as possible on labels these days, and this was nice to see. I do not usually mention the colour of whiskies these days, due to the prevalence of colouring agents. This pour, however, is a nice copper-gold in the glass, no doubt the influence of the sherry. The tears are oily and thin.
A fruity sweet aroma on the nose, raisins and raw sugars at the forefront. There is a nutty quality to this dram, too. Hazel Nuts. Underneath it all is a creamy quality with some tobacco airs. It is all very different from the Islays I have been enjoying of late, but just as interesting.
The sherry is evident from the first sip. There is a jam-like thickness to this dram. There is a bit of cherry to be found, as well as some chocolate. Interestingly enough, there is a spiciness in the middle that I would normally attribute to Rye. The nuttiness noted on the nose comes to the palate towards the finish. It is shadowed by the earlier chocolate notes through a very mellow, medium length finish. In fact, I think "mellow" is a very good way of describing this spirit. It takes it's time to introduce itself, and then it moves along like wedding guests in a receiving line. Lets see if water changes anything.
Well, this whisky does have a surprise, after all. the addition of a little water does not really alter the character too much in any direction. Rather, it simply smooths out the flavours in a very pleasant fashion. where once you tasted nuts and chocolate, now you have more of a Nutella feel, both in flavour and creamy character. The spiciness and tobacco combine to leave the tongue feeling the same tingle one gets with a decent cigar. Very nice indeed.
All in all, I think the Glendronach would make an excellent Scotch to give to someone looking to start down the Single Malt path. It is a nicely structured example of a style of Single Malt that used to dominate the market, but which has been replaced over time by more readily available Casks.
A fruity sweet aroma on the nose, raisins and raw sugars at the forefront. There is a nutty quality to this dram, too. Hazel Nuts. Underneath it all is a creamy quality with some tobacco airs. It is all very different from the Islays I have been enjoying of late, but just as interesting.
The sherry is evident from the first sip. There is a jam-like thickness to this dram. There is a bit of cherry to be found, as well as some chocolate. Interestingly enough, there is a spiciness in the middle that I would normally attribute to Rye. The nuttiness noted on the nose comes to the palate towards the finish. It is shadowed by the earlier chocolate notes through a very mellow, medium length finish. In fact, I think "mellow" is a very good way of describing this spirit. It takes it's time to introduce itself, and then it moves along like wedding guests in a receiving line. Lets see if water changes anything.
Well, this whisky does have a surprise, after all. the addition of a little water does not really alter the character too much in any direction. Rather, it simply smooths out the flavours in a very pleasant fashion. where once you tasted nuts and chocolate, now you have more of a Nutella feel, both in flavour and creamy character. The spiciness and tobacco combine to leave the tongue feeling the same tingle one gets with a decent cigar. Very nice indeed.
All in all, I think the Glendronach would make an excellent Scotch to give to someone looking to start down the Single Malt path. It is a nicely structured example of a style of Single Malt that used to dominate the market, but which has been replaced over time by more readily available Casks.
