North Star GlenDronach 31 Year

Tasting Notes

Andrew's Tasting Note

Nose: chocolate sea salt caramel squares; cooked raisins, figs in honey, and date squares; earthy with crisp spices, melons and citrus; musty dunnage warehouse notes balanced by sweet sherry and creamy maple syrup.

Palate: soft, fruity, and very spicy with more earthy dunnage warehouse notes; grilled pineapple, mango dusted in black pepper, and burnt plantains; more of the caramel squares with sea salt and dark chocolate, and date squares too, slightly overcooked; cooked raisins, figs, honey, and a touch of tobacco and pipe smoke too; the spices range from cinnamon and fennel to clove; a bit on the antique-y side of things, it is a little smoky. 

Finish: this finish is long, fruity, and elegant with tropical, and dried dark fruits; layer in chocolate, caramel, tobacco, and spices, and the mouth is watering for more.

Comment: this is undoubtedly less sherried than your classic GlenDronach style, in particular the Grandeurs, or many of the OB 1991 vintages; but that allows more of the spirit character, and delicate fruit and spice tones to shine through; it is reminiscent of the many of the 30 ish year old Speyside whiskies 20ish years ago; looking back, it's a shame more of the OB GlenDronach vintage single casks weren't finished in such active sherry, but rather left to express themselves a little more like this beauty!

Producer Tasting Note

Nose: cold rain on hot tarmac, milled black peppers.

Palate: passion fruit curd on hot buttered toast.

Finish: morello cherry & a warm chocolate fondant.