GlenDronach Single Malt Scotch Whisky

GlenDronach single malt Scotch whisky is one of the great names in sherried Highland whisky, celebrated for its rich, full-bodied style and deep, complex flavours. Founded in 1826 by James Allardice, the distillery is located near Forgue, in the rolling hills of Aberdeenshire. It was one of the first licensed distilleries in Scotland after the Excise Act of 1823 and quickly gained a reputation for producing robust whisky matured in the finest sherry casks from Spain.

From its earliest years, GlenDronach’s identity has been tied to sherry maturation. The distillery’s spirit, made using traditional copper pot stills and long fermentation, is ideally suited to ageing in high-quality European oak casks seasoned with oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherries. This marriage of rich spirit and equally rich casks results in a signature style brimming with dried fruit, dark chocolate, treacle, and warming spice.

Over the decades, GlenDronach has experienced both highs and lows, including a lengthy mothballing from 1996 to 2002. Its revival began in earnest in 2008, when it was acquired by BenRiach Distillery Company under Billy Walker’s leadership. The relaunch focused on traditional age-statement whiskies and single cask releases, quickly restoring GlenDronach’s reputation among whisky lovers. In 2016, it became part of Brown-Forman’s portfolio, ensuring continued investment and a global reach.

The distillery’s core range is a masterclass in sherry maturation:
• GlenDronach 12 Year Old - matured in a combination of oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks, with notes of raisins, toffee, and gentle spice.
• GlenDronach 15 Year Old Revival - rich and complex, with dark chocolate, stewed fruit, and a long, warming finish.
• GlenDronach 18 Year Old Allardice - matured entirely in oloroso casks for deep, nutty, and fruity intensity.
• GlenDronach 21 Year Old Parliament - a luxurious combination of oloroso and PX casks, offering layered sweetness, spice, and oak refinement.

Beyond the core range, GlenDronach is famed for its Single Cask releases, which are often bottled at cask strength and offer whisky enthusiasts the chance to explore the full spectrum of sherry influence, from youthful vibrancy to decades-old depth. These bottlings are highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs alike.

While sherry casks are central to its style, GlenDronach also occasionally produces limited editions with different cask types, such as port pipes or virgin oak, offering interesting variations on its classic profile. However, even in these experiments, the emphasis remains on full-bodied, richly flavoured whisky.

On the nose, GlenDronach is typically a feast of dried fruits, raisins, figs, and dates, complemented by honey, dark chocolate, and baking spices. The palate is rich and mouth-coating, with layers of fruitcake, treacle, toffee, and gentle oak tannins, leading to a long, warming finish.

Our GlenDronach Single Malt Scotch Whisky range includes the sherried core collection, rare single casks, and limited editions that showcase why this distillery is regarded as one of Scotland’s finest exponents of sherry-matured whisky. Whether you’re discovering GlenDronach for the first time or adding to an established collection, each bottle offers a bold, luxurious taste of Highland whisky heritage.