In the wake of the news that Glendronach Distillery are releasing a second peated whisky, finished in Port casks, I think it’s a good opportunity to review the first one, the Glendronach Peated.

A lot of eyebrows were raised when this one was released. Glendronach are known for something completely different – Sherried whisky and to lesser degree the whiskies finished in other type of casks (like Port, Madeira, etc). But jumping on the peated bandwagon somewhat seems contradicting to the Glendronach we know. Will it work for them?

Glendronach Peated (46%, £35.98/€36,49)

Nose: Nice maltiness but you can’t really hide the fact it’s young, there’s a lot of raw barley and some new make sweetness. Then comes the sweet peat along with a very gentle and mellow smoke.

Palate: Sweet peat, smoke, maltiness and youth notes again, honey and big sweet fruitiness.

Finish: Medium-short length (Medium due to the peat and short for the rest), sweet peat, sweet honey and fruitiness.

Thoughts: Young and uber-sweet. I admint there’s a nice flavour of peat here (highlands peat) but it doesn’t feel like a GlenDronach whisky. In fact, it more reminds me of a young Lediag in active bourbon casks. Bottom line my personal impression is that it’s a waste of time and resources. They may can get it right and save this peated line with the new release and good port casks but I do think Glendronach should stick to what they do best and pump out more of those lovely sherried whiskies.