Yesterday a not so surprise package dropped on the doormat with a sample of this new private bottling of GlenDronach. Billy from The Whisky Exchange mailed me that if it arrived early I had to keep my mouth shut until it was on the website, which was fairly easy with the sample arriving after The Whisky Exchange published their newest release.

We all know GlenDronach, we all know Pedro Ximinez casks, but a PX Puncheon is something I’ve onle come across once with another GlenDronach PX. I’m not a huge fan of that one.

Combine all those factors and I had two chances: I would really love this dram, or I would consider it sherry with a whisky finish and that’s something I don’t like. Let’s see what’s what.

GlenDronach 1995 at The Whisky Exchange

Sniff:
Lots of sherry (duh) with an equal lot of tropical fruit. There is a lot of different kinds of fruit in here and I had a hard time pinpointing them. Peach, mango and some prunes for sure. Some raisins. Also sandalwood, tea and cocoa. Some caffe latte and after a few minutes I start getting an increasing note of oranges dipped in chocolate. Also tangerines by the way,

Sip:
Warming and it pretends to start burning your tongue, but it doesn’t. There is wood, leather and furniture polish. The orange is back as well in combination with some chili pepper. Mole! There’s quite a lot going on before it gets a bit dry after thirty seconds or so.

Swallow:
In the finish it burns a short while with black pepper and chilis, oak and sandalwood. The fruitiness is here too but more subdued by chocolate and coffee.

I think I have to retaste my other GlenDronach PX Puncheon. This stuff at least, is delicious. There is a lot going on and I clearly get the whisky undertones in the wood and fruitiness. I do think I have to revisit to get more of the distillery character, but I am also starting to think that those thick fruity tones with cocoa and coffee are the distillery character. I didn’t get much hints of barley and such, but I’m not missing them here.

I just might have to order this one!

GlenDronach 1995-2012, 17 years old, Pedro Ximinez Puncheon, Private bottling for The Whisky Exchange, 56.6%, cask 4682. Available at TWE for £ 69.95

Official sample provided by The Whisky Exchange. Thanks!