WHEN the BenRiach Distillery Company purchased GlenDronach two years ago, it signalled a re-birth for this the grandest of East Highland malts.
 
At the time MD Billy Walker said: “We hope our acquisition of GlenDronach will intrigue, surprise and delight whisky connoisseurs around the world.”
 
And today (March 25), connoisseurs of re-born GlenDronach will indeed be delighted by the launch of a sublime new thirty-one year-old expression selected personally by Mr Walker – the appropriately-named GlenDronach Grandeur.
 
It’s set to gladden the hearts of connoisseurs around the world.
 
Endearing and enduring, the GlenDronach style is that of a big, smooth, sherried whisky – and Grandeur preserves and perpetuates that great tradition.
 
Marketing Manager Kerry White said: “The whisky bottled as Grandeur has been specially selected by Master Distiller Billy Walker from some of the oldest and most unique Oloroso casks at GlenDronach.
 
“A vast selection of barrels, hogsheads, puncheons and butts has been maturing in the traditional dunnage warehouses since the 1960s, and it is the most extraordinary and remarkable of these which have been chosen for this very special bottling.
 
“This superb expression, a thirty-one-year-old at 45.8 vol. cask strength, is a classical representation of the smooth, complex and full-bodied style that the GlenDronach Distillery is famous for. Individually numbered by hand, each bottle is a one-off and truly unique.”
 
Billy Walker’s tasting notes reveal the remarkable subtleties of Grandeur.
 
Nose – A tremendous concentration of fruits, nuts and berries enveloped in a coffee and mocha glaze. Subtle sweet sherry notes interact beautifully with sticky date pudding aromas.
 
Palate – Very big and gusty flavours adorn each mouthful, yet with perfect balance and refinement. Initial spiced orange flavours and rich old Oloroso sherry are met mid-palate with roasted almonds, coffee and treacle. The dry concentrated flavours from the almonds and the oloroso sherry are balanced in perfect harmony with sultanas, chocolate and honey.
 
Conclusions – This is a rewarding, memorable and captivating GlenDronach expression for a very special occasion.
 
A pic of the bottle and its packaging is attached.
 
For more information on availability and pricing, please contact info@glendronachdistillery.co.uk
 
Ends                                                 25 March 2010
 
INFORMATION – Kerry White, 01324 682220