SMWS notes: The Panel agreed this was an immediately left-field example of this underrated make. Initial notes of flame-roasted red peppers, balsamic onion, cranberry gravy, mutton stock and heather flowers. Then rosewater, toasted cupboard spices such as cumin, some hot paprika and dried rosemary. Water brought out overripe yellow fruits, pollens, fructose, flambeed banana, lychee, mint julep cocktails and pine resin. The palate opened with buttered toast, gentle waxiness, baking parchment, hessian, cloves, posh olive oil and herbal cough medicines. Some hints of tarragon and eucalyptus bark. Reduction brought honey roast root vegetables, overripe tangerines, peach stones, dried apricot, exotic fruit teas, saffron and turmeric. Matured for 11 years in a bourbon hogshead before being transferred to a second fill charred red wine barrique.
It was really a beautiful dram. Cask strength. 12 year old Irish. It could have been disappointing, but in no way did it not deliver. Delicious, balanced, Irish.
In my YouTube Review this scored 5 out of 5 for Quality
The pinnacle of the Glendronach core range, the 21 Year Parliament, is a truly amazing dram. My review here: https://engineered.network/whisky/episode-22-glendronach-21-year/
Thank you Horny Pony for helping me try before I buy! (I since bought a bottle of this)
Some lovely ocean spray and subtle smoke on the nose. More of the ocean than the fire on the nose at least. Sweet upfront and then a little prickly, but beautifully done. Apricot jam which reveals freshly cracked black pepper, that smoothens into cured meats and honey. This dram gives a charcuterie board alongside a cigar. A taster is well worthwhile as this has certainly moved me towards buying a bottle.
I've actually been wanting to taste this so I can make up my mind to buy a bottle. When I found your site and saw it had this I immediately bought some tasting samples and absolutely loved it! Will definitely invest in a bottle