I reviewed an 11 yo Glendronach back in August. Six months later, here is one that’s almost twice as old. This is the Glendronach 21, Parliament, specifically from the 2012 release. If I’m remembering correctly, the Parliament was launched in 2011. I was under the impression that I had reviewed a bottle of that 2011 release in the first year of the blog but I see now in my spreadsheet that I emptied that bottle two weeks before I launched the blog. Back in those days I did used to save large reference samples from bottles for future tastings; I wonder if one might be kicking around somewhere in my hoard or if I finished that as well at some point! Anyway, here is the 2012 release. The Parliament is unlike the more sought-after single casks Glendronach had begun to release around that same time in that it is a vatting, did not bear a vintage statement and was not bottled at cask strength. It was, nonetheless, usually better than many of those so-called single casks. Of course, I am referring to the earlier releases: I’ve not kept up with the distillery and have no idea if the 21 yo is still bottled or if not, when it was pulled. If you know more, please do write in.

Glendronach 21, Parliament (48%; PX & oloroso casks; from my own bottle)

Nose: Rich sherry with a mix of dried apricot and citrus peels and savoury notes (concentrated beef stock, hoisin sauce). On the second sniff there’s some pencil lead. Quite lovely. Gets a little saltier as it sits. With more time there’s more of the pencil lead. A few drops push the fruit back at first and bring out some earthier notes; but after a minute or so there’s quite a bit of plum as well.

Palate: Comes in as indicated by the nose with a touch of gunpowder as I swallow. A good drinking strength; rich texture. The fruit expands with each sip and then melds with the savoury gunpowder. With more time the savoury notes take over. Okay, let’s add water. Saltier with water and there’s more of the dried fruit.

Finish: Long. Some oak emerges as the richer notes slowly fade. The salt turns to rock salt and merges with the gunpowder. As on the palate with water.

Comments: Really quite lovely. Needs just a bit more fruit to make it to the next tier. I’ll be interested to see if it shows up with more air in the bottle.

Rating: 89 points.