GlenDronach Original 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review

GlenDronach original 12 year old single malt scotch whisky provides a perfect introduction to the sherried malt category of whisky for novices to the category.

Tasting Notes 

Color: Bright coppery orange, which comes from the casks in which it’s aged, as there’s no artificial coloring added. 

Nose: Classic sherry notes of raisin and orange, along with vanilla and light floral aromas

Palate: Ripe, rounded notes of plums and candied orange peel, accompanied by rich vanilla and light cocoa

Finish: Malt, oak, chocolate, roasted almonds, black pepper. A soft, dry finish with a light spicy kick that lingers for a good long while.

Our Review

The GlenDronach is slowly gaining a higher profile in the whisky world, due in large part to the brand’s acquisition by spirits giant Brown-Forman, as well as the untiring efforts of master blender Rachel Barrie to bring it to a larger audience. And that’s a good thing: The GlenDronach is one of the better sherried malts in Scotland, and its 12-year-old expression is a nifty entrée to the world of sherried whisky.

The GlenDronach’s stock in trade is sherry-cask aging, and it’s what it does exceedingly well, though some have complained that things have gone downhill since its hookup with Brown-Forman. Whether or not that’s the case, this entry-level expression still delivers, with lots of sweetness and just enough malt and oaky spice to keep it from getting cloying. At more than $60 a bottle, it’s a little pricey for mixing, but it’s really meant for sipping. It does, however, pair quite nicely with a spicy ginger ale.

Original 12 is a great sherried malt for beginners who want to find out what the category is all about. It’s not exactly full of surprises, but it does everything it’s supposed to do, and does it well.