New Glendronach 18 Year Old Finished Off In Marsala Wine Casks

The Scottish distillery known as GlenDronach, like many others, is into experimenting with different wine cask finishes for its Scotch whisky releases. In the last year it has released a 12-year-old expression finished in sweet Sauternes French wine casks as well as a 15-year-old rounded off in Tawny port wood. Now joining these two is an 18-year-old influenced by a small number of Marsala hogsheads.

The new GlenDronach 18 Year Old Marsala Cask Finish was initially matured in European oak casks before finishing its maturation in the Marsala barrels. The distillery said the aromatic influence of those Italian fortified wine casks created “a new layer of depth” to the overall flavor profile.

Tasting notes for this limited edition bottling are below courtesy of GlenDronach. It was taken from the barrel at 46% ABV and is non-chill filtered.

Nose: Golden syrup over stewed orchard fruits infused with a touch of candied ginger, hazelnut and warm, deep oak spices.

Taste: Richly-spiced wildflower honey pours over fire-roasted apples, softening to golden sultanas and ripe pear. All balanced with vibrant ginger, white pepper, fresh-cut oak and stewed barley.

Finish: Torrents of delicious contrasting full-bodied characters, rolling from dominant summer fruits to peppery, richly toasted oak spice.