The Glendronach 15 Year “Revival” is apparently a favorite among Glendronach lovers, particularly this older, Oloroso-only formulation from 2015, just before it was pulled from the market. It was reintroduced later with a reformulation inclusive of both Oloroso and PX sherry casks. This is not that modern whiskey.

This old bottle comes courtesy of my friend, Sam. Bottled in mid-2015, it was likely distilled in the year 2000 or possibly late 1999. I’m tasting a fun bit of history here… or so it seems to me, as a 90s kid.

Distillery: Glendronach

Bottler: Glendronach

Region/Style: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

ABV: 46% | NCF non chill filtered

Age: 15 years. Bottled 2015-05-12.

Cask type: Oloroso sherry.

Price: Modern bottles go for $125 + taxes in WA for 750ml. In theory this is worth more because it comes from 2015, before the formulation, but I got it at cost and I like to drink my whiskey.

Color: 1.1 burnished, medium toffee | NCA no color added (“natural color”)

Nose: heavy and complex. Rich and varied fruits and old wood influence. Syrupy cherries. Citrus oil, somewhere between orange and lemon. There’s just a hint of nail polish and nail polish remover, but in a good way, a fleeting glimpse of a nail salon. Hints of banana and honeydew melon. Background of oxidized flavors and old wood. Fleeting hint of caramel. After a sip: the oxidized notes lean a bit more savory and wood and evoke a wood-paneled lounge with some incense and a background of herbs like thyme and sage.

Palate: thinner and lighter in flavor than the richness of the nose suggested, with a prickle of heat unexpected for 46%. Thin mouthfeel. Candied bitter orange peel. Incense without smoke. Off-sweet blackberry jam, and pomegranate seeds. Overall fits the profile but is surprisingly different from the nose.

Finish: medium-length. Orange oil. Overripe banana and vanilla like the beginnings of banana pudding. Cardamom. Whisper of fennel. Bitter aftertaste of fennel seeds and coffee.

Conclusion: This a sherry bomb for sure but it’s way more complex on the nose than the typical sherry bombs I’ve been accustomed to. Unfortunately the nose is where the complexity ends. The palate and finish were overall relatively disappointing. I can’t help but feel a cask strength version of this would really allow the palate to shine and lengthen the finish, and I find myself walking away wondering what could have been.

Buy a bottle? No. It’s more than a bit pricey for what it is and I’ve heard the modern stuff isn’t as good as this old formulation, so I wouldn’t take the chance.

Rating: 79/100 low end of “very good”

(DemiTastes Review #78, Scotch #14)

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.