It is common knowledge that a Scotch whisky’s age is one of the most important factors when calculating its worth and quality. Of course, its ingredients and execution are crucial to its integrity, but the length of time a scotch spends maturing directly correlates to its price point. This formula explains why there is a precipitous drop in the number of scotches that are aged after 12 or 18 years; well, that and the fact that it takes a lot of effort to properly age a spirit for decades. That is why it’s all the more noteworthy and exciting that GlenDronach is releasing a mind-boggling 50-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch this year.
A standout in the bustling Highlands region of Scotland, GlenDronach has been producing high-quality Scotch for almost 200 years. While it has a slew of premium and aged offerings, a 50-year-old single malt is still a massive accomplishment, even for a distillery as prestigious as GlenDronach. Aside from the time commitment, the yield of a Scotch decreases over time due to the angel’s share, as up to 1% of a scotch evaporates every year it ages. Due to complications that arise with such an extensive aging process, only three casks made it to full maturity, producing 198 bottles.
To add complexity to the GlenDronach 50’s unique flavor profile, it was aged in rare Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from the Spanish bodegas of Jerez in Andalucía, Spain. The result of this wondrous, half-century process was a mahogany chestnut-hued ambrosia fit for royalty (or those with really deep pockets). The nose of the GlenDronach 50 features notes of dark cherry, plum, and a mix of rolling stone fruit, which has a smoky transition to bramble, orange, and cranberry. For its palate, expect a salvo of dark chocolate, tobacco, and cocoa that builds to a fruit-forward blend of plum, black cherry, and notes of espresso.
To commemorate its exclusivity and magnificence, each bottle of GlenDronach is numbered and comes in a genuine leather case with a leather booklet that explains the distillery’s history, tasting notes of the scotch, and the craft of making such a spirit. Given its aged nature, rarity, and pedigree, the GlenDronach 50 has a suggested retail price of $25,000, which signifies its importance in the Scotch space.
