GlenDronach, BenRiach Bring Raft of Scotches to the States

Perhaps one of the chief benefits of the BenRiach, GlenDronach, and Glenglassaugh distilleries being acquired by American company Brown-Forman is the fact it opens up wider distribution channels into the United States for some of these distilleries’ rarer Scotch offerings. In particular, GlenDronach’s single cask expressions have, until now, only been released overseas.

What follows below is a list of upcoming releases from BenRiach and GlenDronach which will be appearing in American stores over the next few months. It should be noted most of these are very limited in scope. For those who may be unfamiliar with these distilleries, here is how Brown-Forman describes them:

The GlenDronach, one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, is renowned as the masters of sherry cask maturation and distinguished for true Highland style single malt Scotch whiskies. Beloved by connoisseurs and patiently aged in sherry oak casks from Spain, The GlenDronach whiskies offer sublime depth, balanced complexity and an extremely satisfying and long-lasting finish.

BenRiach is an unconventional Speyside single malt producer with a “troika” of styles —unpeated, peated and triple-distilled—and a myriad of eclectic wood types. With an approach that is versatile, daring and innovative, it pushes the boundaries of malt alchemy like no other.

“Our limited releases represent some of the best and most sought-after whiskies that our Master Blender Rachel Barrie crafts,” said Stewart Buchanan, Global Brand Ambassador, BenRiach, The GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh, in a prepared statement. “These remarkable drams are well-suited for accessible indulgences, special occasions or as outstanding and memorable gifts, and our new older whisky expressions will enchant both our long-time fans and newcomers to the portfolio.”

• The GlenDronach – 24 Year Old Grandeur – Batch 9
  • Overall: This rare spirit is composed of whiskies individually selected by the Master Blender from among the oldest and most unique Oloroso casks at The GlenDronach Distillery.
  • Tasting Notes: On the nose it beckons with notes of baked quince, glazed cherries, roast chestnuts and sandalwood. On the palate, notes of sherry-laced fruitcake, baked orange, raisins and black cherry emerge, followed by a velvety finish of dark chocolate mint, raisins and angelica root.
  • SRP: $750/750ml
  • ABV: 48.7%
  • Availability: February 2018

• The GlenDronach Single Casks
  • Overall: Each year The GlenDronach’s Master Blender hand-selects casks from The GlenDronach’s collection dating back to 1968. They include barrels, hogsheads, puncheons and butts. These bottlings are the envy of whisky enthusiasts who seek them out to complete their prized collections and are exclusive to the US market.
  • Tasting Notes on Single Cask #415 Aged 24 Years: Cherry stone on an oak smoke fire marries with toffee and licorice on the nose. The palate gives way to raisin oil, prunes and leather with notes of blackberry, birch tar and lingering cassis.
  • SRP: $675/750ml
  • ABV: 51.8%
  • Availability: February 2018

• • Tasting Notes on Single Cask #2257 Aged 27 Years: Plums, walnuts and warm leather on the nose mix with burnt orange-laced tobacco. The palate reveals sherry with nectarine nestled amidst chewy tobacco leaf soaked in cherry brandy with a walnut espresso cream finish.
  • SRP: $1,100/750ml
  • ABV: 52.9%
  • Availability: February 2018

• BenRiach Classic Cask Strength – Batch 2
  • Overall: Offers spirits aficionados the opportunity to enjoy BenRiach’s single malt whisky “straight from the cask.” Master Blender Rachel Barrie hand-picked whiskies finished in bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks and Oloroso sherry casks that were then blended together to create a balanced single malt.
  • Tasting Notes: An enticing aroma of toffee apple, apricot and orange blossom, with notes of crème caramel, milk chocolate, almonds and nectarines on the palate, with a finish redolent of honey, vanilla with candied peel and green apple.
  • SRP: $95/750ml
  • ABV: 60.6%
  • Availability: February 2018

• BenRiach Single Casks
  • Overall: Each year, BenRiach’s Master Blender selects a small number of casks that have developed to their peak of individual character. They include whiskies that have been aged in virgin American oak barrels and port pipes. The whiskies are individually hand-numbered, non-chill filtered and bottled with its natural color. Each is unique and and exclusive to the US market.
  • Tasting Notes on 10 Year Virgin Oak Single Cask #7367: With an aroma of roasted red apples, dark chocolate and mint, it offers notes of barbecued red pepper, cloves, treacle and molasses on the palate.
  • SRP: $95/750ml
  • ABV: 59.4%
  • Availability: February 2018

• • Tasting Notes on 12 Year Peated Port Wood Finish Single Cask #2683: On the nose, it exudes honeyed pecans, toffee, sweet balsam and oak resin, while on the palate, honeynut, charred sugar maple and cinnamon toffee prevail.
  • SRP: $110/750ml
  • ABV: 53.6%
  • Availability: February 2018

• BenRiach Classic Aged 21 Years
  • Overall: Matured for at least 21 years in a combination of four types of casks: bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks, Pedro Ximenez sherry casks and red wine casks. The whisky from these four woods has then been expertly blended together by BenRiach’s Master Blender to create a superbly balanced malt, with each cask type adding unique notes to the taste experience.
  • Tasting Notes: On the nose, it evokes summer fruit compote with contrasting candied peel and warming ginger. On the palate, soft vanilla and cinnamon give way to tangy red fruits and citrus peel. Barley sugars and honeyed malt build into the long, sweet and satisfying finish.
  • SRP: $250/750ml
  • ABV: 46%
  • Availability: February 2018

• BenRiach Temporis Peated Aged 21 Years
  • Overall: Meaning “time” in Latin, Temporis emulates the original character of Speyside malts in the 19^th century. An eclectic mix of Bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Oloroso sherry combine result in a multi-faceted peated malt.
  • Tasting Notes: Aromas of caramelized pear and toasted oak spice fuse with honeyed peat and smoked pinewood. The palate reveals smooth, creamy peat with roasted orchard fruits and eucalyptus. Pineapple and star anise gradually appear with smoked cinnamon, lingering long into the sweet and smoky finish.
  • SRP: $265/750ml
  • ABV: 46%
  • Availability: April 2018