Four Glendronachs, ranging from a 10-year-old Canadian release to a 28-year-old Grandeur, offered me a chance to revisit a distillery I once reached for constantly. I wanted to know which bottles still deliver that deep, sherried character I fell in love with, and whether the most expensive whisky in the lineup would also be the most rewarding.
The 10-year-old made a better first impression than I expected. Its nose brought plenty of apple, a little sherry, and a musty malt note that reminded me of an orchard. The palate, though, stayed firmly on the young side. It has become more balanced since I opened it, but it lacks the richness I want from Glendronach. At around $90 in Alberta, I can think of better bottles for the money. I gave it an 82, and I’m more likely to use the rest in a cocktail than pour it for a quiet dram.
The 2015 Revival was the whisky that brought everything back. Although labelled 15 years old, it may be closer to 20 according to the age chart I’ve used. Its Oloroso-driven nose is gorgeous: figs, dates, chocolate and cocktail cherries, followed by that old-book note I associate with the Glendronach I first loved. Rich and mouth-coating, it earns a 90 or 91 from me. This was roughly a $100 bottle, which makes its quality even harder to ignore. If you still have one, cherish it.
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READ THE STORYThe 2022 18-year-old is good whisky, but tasting it beside the Revival exposed what it lacks. I found subtle figs, tobacco leaf, and milk chocolate, yet its nose felt muted and the palate never quite delivered the same depth. On its own, I would enjoy it. In this company, an 87 feels right.
Grandeur Batch 11, by contrast, was stunning: dusty old-library aromas, dark chocolate and coffee, then a lingering finish like the last sip of a fine espresso. It is remarkably gentle for 48.9% ABV and earns a 91 or 92.
The Grandeur is the best whisky here, but at roughly $1,500, it is not fifteen times the experience of that Revival. I’m glad I traded for mine, and I’d recommend sharing a bottle with friends if the opportunity comes along. That conversation is part of the pleasure. When you weigh quality against price, which Glendronach would you choose?
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For a closer look at all four bottles and my full tasting, watch my YouTube video.
