K&L Exclusive Casks: Stunning, 12 Year Old Highland Rarities from Hart Brothers
“Glendronach on the independent market is a true rarity. To be able to offer two casks at the same time is nothing short of a miracle.” — Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer
“I can’t properly express what an absolute shock it was to be offered a cask of Glendronach, let alone two!” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer
This offer is the definition of lightning striking in the same place twice. The magnificent Hart Brothers have done it again by bringing us two of the most outstanding Highland single casks we’ve seen in quite some time, at prices that are simply jaw-dropping, unbelievable, and almost too good to be true. Glendronach is much beloved by both Highland aficionados and sherry-cask geeks, as they’re widely renowned for their mastery of both the regional style and the use of top-quality sherry butts in aging. But it’s truly a fine day when we come across a stellar specimen aged in a rum cask—rare as hen’s teeth, you might say. Of the sherry butt, David Othenin-Girard notes, “not only is this barrel exceedingly rare, but the quality is completely next-level, not some afterthought or discarded butt here—no, this is exemplary malt of the highest order.” Although fans of the distillery will naturally gravitate toward the sherry butt, the rum cask is certainly a must-try. As Andrew Whiteley observes, “For those who truly want to unlock the secrets of Glendronach, this will be a prized possession.” Even though we’re just getting into 2022, we’re not overstating things when we say this is one of the most exciting Scotch offers we’ll see all year. This limited, once-in-a-decade opportunity should be seized by anyone who calls themselves a true Scotch fanatic.
*Pre-arrival items expected to be available for pickup or shipment in June 2022.
2009 Glendronach 12 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Rum Cask Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($89.99)
K&L Notes: Hart Bros. is led by Alistair Hart, who has nearly 30 years of experience selecting single casks and managing the stocks for this exceptional independent bottler. Hart Bros. consistently bottles malt of world-class quality and seems to have connections that few else can match. After our first effort importing casks directly from their bottled stock, we’ve stepped up to purchase some rare whiskies straight out of their warehouses, which will be sold exclusively at K&L. This gorgeous barrel of nicely aged Glendronach represents a first for K&L and the U.S. This is the first independently bottled Glendronach (one of two barrels we purchased) we’ve ever seen in this country. If there has ever been an independently bottled Glendronach available in the U.S., it’s been at least a couple of decades. This special whisky showcases the fabulous character that this eastern Highland gem can exhibit. Full of deep malt and complex texture, it’s relatively rare to find anything from this excellent distillery that’s not been marked by sherry. This is a must-buy for fans of the distillery to experience it in a new way and appreciate its true character without the normal cask treatment. Bottled without coloring or chill-filtration at a cask strength of 60.9% ABV.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 27, 2022
Glendronach on the independent market is a true rarity. To be able to offer two casks at the same time is nothing short of a miracle. Since the distillery has long been committed to aging everything in sherry, it’s equally rare to see anything from Glendronach dressed up in anything but the standard livery. The color is flaxen. The nose is salty caramel and vanilla drizzled over ripe fruit. Rich and grainy—the strong malt character of Glendronach is readily apparent. A whiff of cut grass comes and goes on the breeze. It’s transcendent really. Tropical notes come and go with each nosing. A riper blast of pineapple and coconut mingles with cooked molasses. The palate continues where the aromas left off. A broader collection of tropical fruits and a touch of funky ester comes through. I’d argue it’s a much more interesting malt than the sherried ‘Dronach we have from the Hart Brothers, but it’s destined to be less popular. For those who truly want to unlock the secrets of Glendronach, this will be a prized possession.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: November 12, 2021
I can’t properly express what an absolute shock it was to be offered a cask of Glendronach, let alone two! This extremely rare and unusual expression of the excellent eastern Highland distillery is truly one of a kind. I don’t know if you’ll ever find a single ex-rum barrel from this fabulous distillery. Honestly, you’d be hard-pressed to notice the rum. It’s not dark at all. The color is yellow straw. But on the nose, the malty richness of ‘Dronach, which we very rarely see these days not coupled with sherry, is slightly pointed by some wild topicality to it. Ultimately, the rum isn’t playing a huge role here, but that doesn’t matter. Naked ‘Dronach should be on every malt nerd’s bucket list. The nose is soft and malty with hints of cola, blonde roast, and crystal malt. It’s a bit shy at first, but with a splash of water and some air some fabulous aromas emerge. Guava, honeysuckle, sugar wafers, yuzu peel, and unusual minerality. On the palate, it’s very full-bodied, almost oily. Much more textural than the light color and nose might imply. It’s pure and driven. Focused and malty and bright orchard fruit. It’s surprisingly long and starts to add some spice on the end. A truly interesting version of this well-known distillery, that might not scratch the sherry bomb itch, but it will satisfy almost every other scotch lover.
2009 Glendronach 12 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Sherry Butt Unchillfiltered Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($109.99)
K&L Notes: This wonderful whisky, aged in a first-fill sherry butt, is everything we want from this distillery that they won’t give us themselves. Richly complex with classic Glendronach sherry character, the existence of these casks is simply stupefying, considering how difficult it is to get anything out of the distillery these days. And of course, it has not been chillfiltered!
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 27, 2022
We live for this kind of coup. Blue-chip distillery. Highest quality cask. Unobtainium—transmuted into liquid gold and sold at a reasonable price. This is the kind of deal that we can only deliver once in a blue moon, despite all of our relentless efforts. It’s a textbook example of Glendronach from a cask of superlative quality. The real kicker is it is being sold at a fraction of the price the distillery wants for single barrels if you ever get the chance to buy them directly. The color is the archetype of Scotch—perfect mahogany with hints of amber and gold. It’s what every lesser single malt wishes it looked like. Then the nose: baked apples, succulent stone fruit, honey, graham cracker, cinnamon, tobacco leaf, burnt orange peel. On top of that, it smells like a luxury high rise office that belongs in Mad Men—old leather, rich wood, and the finest cigars. It’s sultry. The flavor is huge; at a cracking 61.2% ABV it’s no surprise really, but it’s a powerhouse. The palate almost stings with flavor. Chocolate and raw cacao. A reprise of stewed fruits, hide, cedar, sandalwood. It opens dramatically with water, but you may never get that far. If you like pairings – I suggest you serve it with a second glass, because you’ll never be satisfied with just one pour.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: December 02, 2021
Honestly, this shouldn’t even be happening. This seems to be the first ever independently bottled Glendronach we’ve seen here, with the exception of that Duncan Taylor “Three Generations”. It’s an absolute coup that this is even on offer and not marked up to the stratosphere in some goofball cask auction. Speculators be damned, we bottle whisky for drinking! And while we we’re able to get an 11-year-old sherry puncheon last year, it’s unlikely that we’ll see another sherry butt from the distillery for some time. So, not only is this barrel exceedingly rare, but the quality is completely next level, not some after thought or discarded butt here—no, this is exemplary malt of the highest order. Distilled on January 20th, 2009, it was filled into an active sherry butt and bottled in November of 2021. Let’s taste it. The color is the perfect mahogany. The first nosing is a flabbergasting experience, honestly. The nose is so old-school and perfect I just can’t stop smelling it. Very old, super high-quality leather, old polished wooden furniture, freshly rolled cigars, cured ham, stewed plums, fig jam. It really feels much older than 12 years. On the palate, the opulence and velvety texture are the first things you notice with the rich oloroso character coming next. I’m wondering if this might be a second fill from one of the legends that were bottled at the distillery during this period. I’m looking at you early ’70s vintages! Whatever they did here, it’s an absolute gem. With water….yada yada yada. WHO CARES?! Just buy and fall in love with this freakin’ magic or forever hold your peace.
