The GlenDronach 21 Yr Parliament
48% ABV
$230
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What the Distiller Says
Matured in a combination of the finest Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks for a minimum of 21 years, the ‘Parliament’ continues the great GlenDronach tradition of offering fruit-laden intensity in its single malts. This rich expression has been named ‘Parliament’ after the colony, or ‘parliament’, of rooks that have been nesting in the trees that overlook the GlenDronach distillery for almost 200 years. Bottled at 48%, the ‘Parliament’ is non chill filtered and of natural colour.
TASTING NOTES
APPEARANCE: Deep amber with a cherry wood sheen.
NOSE: A delicate mix of ripe autumnal fruits – notably blackberries and red plums. Rich Oloroso sherry and candied orange segments. Spiced oatmeal biscuits and toasted oak fragrances bring excellent weight and balance.
PALATE: Resolute flavours of fine Oloroso sherry and bitter chocolate sauce, which has been spread liberally over homemade plum pudding. This is all infused with fabulous spicy notes – cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Full bodied with smooth tannins.
CONCLUSION: Long and lingering.
What Gary Says
Nose: Thick sherry, fruitcake soaked in alcohol, orange marmalade with cloves, allspice, hints of toffee and leather w/ lingering vanilla pipe smoke.
Palate: Sweet with chocolate, citrus, currants, raisins; balanced nicely with allspice and nutmeg over oak.
Finish: Long and lingering w/ a bit of tannic smoke as it trails off.
Comments: A sherry bomb to be sure, but delicious (if you like that sorta thing). This was the first 21 yr old single malt I ever purchased (in large part because it was only $130 back in 2017, which was a steal). A very nicely balanced dram, with a bit more spice and oak to go with all that dark fruit sweetness. While delicious, if offered a free pour of this or the 15 yr Revival – I think I’d go with the 15 yr.
Rating: Stands Out