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Whisky Review: The GlenDronach Kingsman Edition 1989 Vintage

We review The GlenDronach Kingsman Edition 1989 Vintage, a 29 year old Scotch single malt whisky tied to the Kingsman movie franchise that first matured in Oloroso sherry casks and then additionally matured in Pedro Ximenez casks

OVERALL RATING

7
$1.00
  • Courtney Kristjana is a leading US whiskey taster and aspiring Master of Scotch.
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The GlenDronach Kingsman Edition 1989 Vintage

Tasting Notes

About:

50.1%ABV. Six Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez matured casks from 1989 were hand-selected to produce 3,052 bottles. 700ml $1,299.
Appearance:
Roasted hazelnut.
Nose:
At first whiff, the raisin is sweet and abundant. The sweetness also has a touch of crème brulee to it. However, there’s a creeping balsamic vinegar reduction that tinges the nose. Fig and all-spice, or mulling spices, meet in the middle. On the end is a damp, mossy musk reminiscent of a fallen tree.
Palate:
The mouthfeel is oily and viscous. Adding in the sweetness, it’s almost like a rich demerara syrup. Raisin and clove swirl together with a touch of black peppercorn and fig. The finish goes back and forth between resin and black tea.
Finish:
Comments:
While The GlenDronach Kingsman Edition 1989 Vintage is good, it’s not necessarily great either. The almost sherry or balsamic vinegar note on the nose is not wanted, but it’s not so overpowering that it ruins the experience. It does drink a bit hot with the spice on the flavor profile. The main factor for not giving the whisky at least a 4 out of 5 is the bitter black tea and resin notes on the finish. Adding a drop of water upped the all-spice and black peppercorn but gave it a waxy mouthfeel. rnrnOverall, The GlenDronach Kingsman Edition 1989 Vintage is worth at least trying. I can think of how many other bottles I could buy with $1299. I can appreciate collaborations with the movie industry, but I think better energy could be spent elsewhere.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Courtney Kristjana

Courtney Kristjana is a leading whiskey taster in the United States. Inspired by an article on Heather Greene, she left her career in Gerontology to pursue her passion for whiskey. Currently studying to become a Master of Scotch, Courtney dreams of one day being nominated for the Keepers of the Quaich. Her reviews may be as strong as the peat in her scotch, but she guarantees honesty, integrity, and an open mind.

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