Whiskies aged in first-fill Sherry butts are especially so, and those drawn entirely from such sherried stock are invariably known as “sherry bombs” for the potent flavors the malt whisky has derived from its time spent mingling with the sherry-soaked wood. The ‘Sherried’ character, therefore, is down to the Sherry itself, but also oxidation and the way in which the Sherry has interacted with and changed compounds in the oak. All of these then interact over time with the maturing spirit.

The Sherry and wood form a pincer movement that stamps out distillery character or any sense of identity in the distillate itself. For me, a great Sherry-matured malt should possess a balance between distillery identity, fruitiness, earthiness and a lick of spice. Sherry bombs almost always eschew this tightrope balance in favour of heat, density and aggression of wood flavor.

GlenDronach 15 year old Revival went on hiatus three years ago due to a shortage. In 2018 it re-emerged with a new recipe, tweaked by master distiller Rachel Barrie. As before, a mixture of Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry casks has taken care of the aging process, and the result is one of the very best sherried single malts of its age on the market. The distillery’s characteristic spice, fruit, and chocolate notes are here in abundance, merging seamlessly and with satisfying complexity to create a great after-dinner dram.

In flavor, the expression offers sumptuous notes of dark fruits, rich chocolate and manuka honey with  an enveloping, memorable finish worthy of this monumental malt’s history. This is a luxuriously sherried Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Color: Deep amber-red gold. ABV: 46%. Non chill filtered

Nose
Incredible concentration of aromas. Treacle toffee and chocolate orange. Nutty notes and vanilla. Sweet caramel and toffee with notes of nutty Sherry, milk chocolate and honey. Ripe plums, red berries and oranges. Caramelised sugar and earthy, charred oak.

Palate
Chewy with coffee, chocolate and treacle scones. Sweet, rounded and creamy. Oranges, plums, cherry and walnuts, chocolate, honey-mead, Sherry and soft, spiced oak. Sweet, creamy vanilla, with hints of ginger. Spiced mulled wine and pear. Rich, creamy, silky-smooth. Warm, rich oak and sherry sweetness, full mouth feel, raisins and soft fruits. 

Finish
A veritable feast to enliven the senses. Spicy with medium length and a dry finish. 

Balance, Body & Feel
A very dynamic and full bodied dram. Matured in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, this stuff is hugely flavorsome, aromatic and complex.