I traded a sample of this GlenDronach 16 with Marlie, of whisky club The Whisky Club (what’s in a name) in the south of the country. I’ve had it sitting around for a while and thought it time to taste it. Also, I was in dire need of the 60.8% the label states, since I just found out my package with half a bottle of Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13yo got sent back to the Marco because the delivery dude couldn’t drop it off at my house…

Nose:
Enormously fruity with clear hints of cherries and quite some fresh European oak. After the initial alcohol shock has passed I also get Sticky Toffee Pudding. Which I like. A lot. Somewhat later I get chocolate with raisins.

Taste:
The alcohol really overpowers the flavours. It almost feels like your tongue gets singed. After a minute you get some more tastes, mostly of the typical sherry cask type. Toffee, nuts, some fruits. A lot of tannines and quite some wood as well.

Finish:
The finish displays a lot more fruit of the confit kind. Like the fruits you find in Christmas Cake, which is nearly as good as Sticky Toffee Pudding. It lasts quite long, but that also might be from my tongue bleeding because of the alcohol burn!

The flavours are all correct, but this dram NEEDS water. Badly. Although I’ve tasted many drams at higher proof than this one, it just burns a hole in your cheeks. I love the completeness of the sherry flavours, however. Fruit, nuts, a touch of wood and the toffee is all there.

GlenDronach 16, 1992-2009, 60.8%, bottled for whisky club The Whisky Club.

Nose: 9
Taste: 7
Finish: 7
Overal experience: 8
Price/quality: +1 (it used to cost €75)

Total: 32 points