Glendronach 18YO Old 700ml

Glendronach 18YO is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky from The GlenDronach distillery in Aberdeenshire, matured for at least 18 years in oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía in Spain. It has long been sold as the 18 Year Old Allardice, after the distillery’s founder, and is bottled at 46% ABV with natural colour.

Buy Glendronach 18YO Old Online in New Zealand

James Allardice founded The GlenDronach in 1826 in the Valley of Forgue, in the eastern Highlands, and 2026 marks 200 years of distilling there. The distillery’s core range is matured only in Spanish sherry casks, oloroso and Pedro Ximénez, and that full sherry style is what it is known for. The 18 year old uses oloroso casks alone. Oloroso is a dry, nutty sherry, so the wood gives the whisky dark fruit, walnut and spice rather than pure sweetness, and after 18 years the colour turns a deep antique bronze.

Next to the 12 and 15 year olds in the core range, the 18 has the most time in wood of the three. It suits drinkers who love sherried Scotch, anyone moving up from the GlenDronach 12 or 15, and makes a strong gift for a milestone birthday.

The GlenDronach describes it as:

Nose: Fudge and dark muscovado sugar, with fruit compote and morello cherries adding depth.

Palate: Rich and dark, with stewed fruit and allspice, aged oloroso, toasted walnut bread and chocolate orange.

Finish: Long and lingering.

Serve it neat in a tulip glass at room temperature, letting it rest a few minutes so the sherry aromas open. A drop of water is plenty; ice will hide the detail. It sits beautifully with dark chocolate, roasted walnuts, a slice of Christmas cake or a hard sheep’s milk cheese such as Manchego. Kept upright, sealed and out of sunlight, an opened bottle will hold well for many months.