GlenDronach 12 Year ("The Original") is maybe the most emblematic sherried Scotch I can think of. This is delicious, lovely stuff, and takes virtually all of its flavor notes from medium-to-full bodied sherry (which makes sense considered it was aged in Ximenez and Oloroso casks). The first time I caught the scent of this whisky over the glass, I might as well have been opening a bottle of sherry. It's almost indistinguishable.
The real beauty, of course, is the price point - at $45, this stuff is a steal. It tastes more expensive, and it's more or less commonly available, so ... win/win. GlenDronach is mostly known for ancient expressions and tremendously amazing (presumably) and expensive single cask variants.
Nose: Pure sherry - a lovely grape and wine scent climbs into the air. Sherry for MILES. As said above, indistinguishable to me from certain bottles of nice sherry I've had. Like Ardbeg's Uigeadail, there is a certain glazed honey pork note in the mix. Golden raisins. Black currants. Red raisins. Maybe even a hint of cranberries! Very rich.
Mouthfeel: Thin and oily, the sherry fumes do tend to gather in your mouth a bit and thicken things like a nice grape-laden mist.
Palate: This stuff delivers. It is a little young, in that the alcohol comes out a little earlier than I would prefer (and I would like to try the 15- and 18-year variants to compare!). The sherry flavor is concentrated but smooth. Orange creamsicles dance in the background like an old timey cinema cartoon intermission. Grapes galore, several vineyards worth. Wooden oakiness on the backend as it transfers into the finish. If there is any criticism here, it's that this isn't complex at all - it's pure sherry and really nothing else.
Finish: Oak and peppery grapes and some light leather trail off in a rather short finish.
Verdict: A winner, and recommended. It's young, and one-note, but that note is pure and delicious. If you like sherry, try this immediately. If you don't, but are curious about classically sherried Scotch, try this. If you like darkly peated smokey Islay drams... avoid this.
Link to GlenDronach's website for the 12 Year: http://glendronachdistillery.com/products/12year.php
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