GlenDronach 25 Year Old Cadenhead Original Collection 41.6% 1990s Bottling

A rich and appealing sherried cask. GlenDronach GLENDRONACH 25yo Cadenhead Original Collection 41.6% 1990s Bottling The aroma features strong oloroso sherry, berry jam, a soft and sweet sensation, mitsuba (sweet bean paste), mirin (Japanese rice wine), herb liqueur, a touch of balsamic vinegar, faint leather, nuts, and an intoxicating quality. On the palate, it begins with a smooth mouthfeel that expands into a rich flavor profile. The intense sweetness of berry jam is complemented by the pleasant astringency of herbs, mirin, and a slightly oily texture that coats the mouth. The finish is rich, pleasant, and long-lasting. [Very Good] From Cadenhead's Original Collection comes GlenDronach 25 Year Old. Initially thought to be a diluted bottling, this is clearly a cask strength expression with reduced alcohol content. The whisky is heavily influenced by sherried casks, with the aroma featuring a strong fruity character reminiscent of berry jam, alongside notes of herbs and balsamic vinegar. The mitsuba (sweet bean paste) and mirin nuances were particularly impressive, adding a soft and mellow complexity. The flavor profile similarly emphasizes the rich sherried character with a pronounced mellow sweetness, and the whisky is notably thick in body. The oily texture coats the mouth, creating a long-lasting finish. Due to its strong cask influence, it feels heavier in body than its alcohol content suggests. While not as intensely mitsuba-like as official bottlings from 1971 or 1972, it offers a similarly intoxicating sherried cask character and is highly enjoyable. It likely corresponds to a vintage from that era.