Aberdeenshire's GlenDronach distillery, originally known as "Guid Glendronach," was purchased in 2008 by the BenRiach Distillery Company (who added Glenglassaugh to their stable of distilleries in 2013). Their 12 Year Old is matured in a mix of Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks.
Behind window #13: GlenDronach 12 Year Old, 43% alc., £29/$44
C: Color
N: The malted grain takes center stage but there's a good, clean rubberiness and fruity notes, too, suggestion of brown sugar with cumin edges -- the brown sugar develops over time
P: There's a lovely strong coffee punch before more malted grain enters the fray, yeasty and bready with some oak towards the back of the palate
F: Short to moderate, pleasantly warming and sweet with whispers of Fox's Turkish Delight in the very back -- the brown sugar becomes more pronounced as time passes
In conclusion: After the disappointment of last week's Dalmore 15, this GlenDronach shows what competitively priced sherry whisky has to offer regardless of chill filtering and entry level alcohol strength. Worth investigating.
Sincere thanks to Master of Malt's Drinks by the Dram for the sample.