Anchor Distilling Co. and The GlenDronach Distillery Introduce Two New Scotch Whiskies to the U.S. Market

22 Jan 2014 --- Long known for quintessential sherried single malts, The GlenDronach Distillery, nestled in Scotland’s rolling East Highland hills in secluded Aberdeenshire, and imported to the U.S. by Anchor Distilling Company, now launches two new expressions: The GlenDronach 15 Year Old Tawny Port Wood Finish (part of its wood finish program) and The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 2.

Founded in 1826, The GlenDronach is one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, passing through such notable hands as founder James Allardice, Walter Scott (1830), Captain Charles Grant (1920), William Teacher & Sons (1960), Chivas Brothers (2005), and finally Scotch whisky veteran Billy Walker, who revived the distillery in 2008. Employing traditional distilling techniques, The GlenDronach takes meticulous care and patience to develop its rich single malts. In addition, as reflected by the new Tawny Port Wood Finish, The GlenDronach is a versatile whisky that lends itself to experimentation.

“Whilst The GlenDronach is known for its use of sherry casks to mature its whiskies, we decided to experiment with a few different types of wood to see how it would influence the whisky,” explains Alistair Walker, sales and marketing director for The GlenDronach. “Tawny Port in particular, as a fortified wine, is quite closely related to sherry, and we were confident that these casks would work well with The GlenDronach.”

Says David King, president of Anchor Distilling Company: “In terms of ‘hidden gems,’ it does not get much better than The GlenDronach and when the Walker family starts to experiment they produce exceptional single malts. I am delighted that Anchor Distilling can bring two more rare and delicious whiskies to the U.S. market. Enjoy them before they are gone.”

The GlenDronach 15 Year Old Tawny Port Wood Finish (46% ABV, 750ml, SRP $79.99) is initially matured in European oak and thereafter finished in a very small batch of Tawny Port barrels. The resulting spirit features a nose of stewed damsons and plum conserve, raisins, sultanas and fine grand cru chocolate; on the palate, flavors of fruit shortcake drenched in vanilla custard prevail, complemented by a scattering of dried figs, dates and wild strawberries; smooth tannins and light acidity highlight a long finish.

The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch Two (50-60% ABV, 750ml, SRP $149.99) has been matured in a combination of Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks. On the nose, wonderful, rich aromas of honey-drenched raisins and sultanas, candied ginger and orange peel, spiced with a delicate note of warm oak; on the palate, this whisky showcases a perfectly balanced traditional sherry character with an explosion of chocolate-coated raisins and zest of organge, mellowed with sweet, warm oak spices and hints of soft toffee and gentle sugared almonds.