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Glendronach 15 Year Old Revival Sherry Cask

Pale Tobacco Rider

7 1088

@RianCReview by @RianC

16th May 2021

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  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Overall
    88

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

My quest to find the best 15 year old sherried Scotch had led me to a show down between this and the Tamdhu 15. All of this now seems a little moot since Glendronach appears to have had somewhat of a senior moment in regards to public relations, and I really should look at Glengoyne and perhaps Glenallachie as other suitable contenders.

Still, I've reviewed this 're-Revival' previously, which prompted me to pick up another couple of bottles as I enjoyed it the sample that much (90 points). So how will a bottle from 2020 fare?

Review is with a wee splash of water and the bottle has been open about four months with two thirds left.

Nose - rich and spicy with blonde tobacco, old, dry dates, leather, lots of complex ginger notes, a touch of mint and mocha. Prickly.

Taste - Rich mouth-feel, lovely actually - it feels thick! More tobacco, mocha and gingery spices. Some sweetness comes from fresh, sticky dates and a hint of red fruits (cherry syrup?).

Finish - med - long. Pleasant gingery spice, light toffee and some gentle tannins.

This is perhaps a little less enjoyable than the sample I had a couple of years ago but it is still excellent whisky. Not as sweet as one would imagine given the inclusion of both PX and Olorosso casks, and I really like the tobacco and leather notes - they don't dominate in any way (I'm looking at you Benromach ;). Nicely balanced, sherried whisky with a bit of a kick. Yes, please.

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10 comments

@Victor
Victor commented

I'd prefer to dish out the money and buy the Glendronach Cask Strength over their other offerings.

2 years ago 1Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC commented

@Victor - I really enjoyed the sample of the CS Glendronach I had and have considered getting a bottle. Their change of heart on presentation has definitely put me off a bit though, shame.

2 years ago 2Who liked this?

@OdysseusUnbound
OdysseusUnbound commented

I’m tempted to open my only bottle of Glendronach 15 after reading this, but mine is one of those “15s” that is actually 19 or 20 years old because of the distillery closure.

2 years ago 3Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC commented

@OdysseusUnbound - I see your quandary smile

I really regret not picking up a few of those older 15's when I had the chance.

2 years ago 2Who liked this?

Wierdo commented

@RianC I emailed Glendronach and said I wouldn't be buying any more of their whisky unless they reversed the decision to begin chill-filtering.

Probably won't make a jot of difference but I figured the more people tell them that the more chance they might change their minds.

Anyway this was the nonsense, corporate speech response:

Dear Daniel

Thank you very much for your email and your interest and support of Glendronach. We hope this email finds you safe and well.

We have removed "Non Chill Filtered" from our packaging to provide the flexibility in our processes to optimise consistently exceptional quality, clarity and stability.

Please be assured that our much-loved whiskies continued to be crafted to the highest standards, and the update marks no change to the taste of our award-winning Single Malts.

All of our Single Malts continue to be of natural cask-imparted colour, expertly selected and married by our Master Blender Rachel Barrie.

Kind Regards The Glendronach Team Please Drink Responsibly.

2 years ago 6Who liked this?

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

@Wierdo Interesting how they interpreted your intention to stop buying their product as your support for their product. Very creative spin.

2 years ago 5Who liked this?

Wierdo commented

@BlueNote and also 'optimise consistently exceptional quality' whilst introducing a procedure known to reduce the overall quality of the product.

2 years ago 4Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC commented

@Wierdo - did you see the latest ralfy vlog on this? He had the same reply from them whilst they also requested he correct a few things which, under scrutiny, we're shown to be accurate in the first place e.g. 'we are are a family owned business not a corporate global multi national'. Erm, a quick Google says otherwise smirk

He handled it really well.

It just seems such a silly choice to make at this current time. Especially when most folk buying whisky are 'in the know' and fully understand, and have experience of, the benefit of non-chill filtering. Their defence simply doesn't stand up. They can't now be said to be giving customers what they want, and that is poor form. And worse, they are digging their heels in and hiding behind corporate BS, which is not a good look either.

2 years ago 5Who liked this?

Wierdo commented

@RianC I saw the Ralfy vlog. He did a good job although he was clearly sweating a bit fearing the lawyers. He didn't roll over to them.

I just don't get the decision from Glendronach? It's not Glenfiddich or Macallan. The people who buy that whisky are generally informed whisky customers like us. They have built a good reputation and increasing sales based on producing a good quality spirit at a higher strength, natural colour and NCF. That we as customers have appreciated and purchased. Why make a move that annoys your current customers? I genuinely think they thought no-one would notice that they'd removed NCF from the packaging. But now they've been called on it they should reverse the decision.

I wish whisky producers would spend the money that they budget for chill filtering their products on educating customers on the benefits of NCF and how it's fine if you're whisky goes a bit cloudy.

2 years ago 5Who liked this?

Astroke commented

@RianC , I think the Glengoyne 15 has been discontinued now. Was not a full Sherry maturation anyway. The Glenallachie 15 is really good (based on a sample) and the price was not bad.

2 years ago 2Who liked this?

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