🥃 The GlenDronach
Highland single malt from the Forgue valley in Aberdeenshire, founded by James Allardice in 1826; matured in oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks; owned by Brown-Forman.
The GlenDronach is a sherry-cask Highland single malt, a name to look for if you like sherried whisky. The distillery stands in the Forgue valley near Huntly, in Aberdeenshire, in the east of the Highlands. It was founded in 1826 by James Allardice and is owned by the American company Brown-Forman. It is one of the best-known sherry-style brands in Scotland.
History. According to Difford's Guide, the distillery opened in 1826. It was later owned by the BenRiach Distillery Company, and in 2016 the group was, as reported, acquired by Brown-Forman, so older references may still name BenRiach. In 2020 the visitor centre was refurbished, and in 2022 the company announced investment of more than 30 million pounds to prepare the distillery for more than double its capacity, as demand had tripled since 2016.
How it is made. The whiskies mature in Spanish casks that previously held oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry from Andalusia, which gives them their rich taste. Revival matures in casks that once held oloroso sherry, while Parliament spends at least 21 years in oloroso and PX. The producer does not state the number of stills or the water source, so we do not give those details.
Range. The Original 12 was relaunched in 2009; there is Revival 15 from oloroso casks, an 18-year-old Allardice, and a 21-year-old Parliament from oloroso and PX casks. Single cask bottlings also exist.
Why it matters to you. Read the full name and the cask type, as they shape the taste. The age on the label is the age of the youngest whisky in the bottle. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 1826, James Allardice (Forgue valley, Aberdeenshire) |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (single malt Scotch whisky; Highland) |
| EU category | 2 - whisky/whiskey |
| Raw material | barley malt; water |
| Cask type | Spanish casks that held oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years in oak by law; versions from 12 to 21 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | at least 40% ABV by law; versions differ |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 The GlenDronach → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Brown-Forman
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel, 🍷 Sherry
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Highland whisky
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Glenfiddich, 🥃 Isle of Jura, 🥃 Isle of Jura, 🥃 Glen Moray, 🥃 Glen Moray, 🥃 Clynelish, 🥃 Clynelish, 🥃 Edradour, 🥃 Edradour, 🥃 Glenglassaugh
Frequently asked questions
Is GlenDronach matured in sherry casks?
Yes: Revival in oloroso casks, Parliament in oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks.
Who owns GlenDronach now, BenRiach or Brown-Forman?
Brown-Forman; the BenRiach Distillery Company, which once owned it, joined the group in 2016, so older references may still name BenRiach.
What strength should I expect on a US label of GlenDronach?
By law Scotch is at least 40% ABV, which US labels also show as 80 proof; the individual versions differ, so read the label.
Do UK rules cover the Allardice and Parliament versions too?
Yes. As single malt Scotch they need at least three years in oak, and the age on the label is the age of the youngest whisky.
What glass suits a sherried malt?
A Glencairn or tulip nosing glass, neat or with a few drops of water.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden vessel made of oak staves in which wine matures, picks up new aromas and slowly takes in air.
- 🍷 Sherry — Protected wine from the Jerez de la Frontera area of Andalusia, aged in oak casks in the solera system; 14 to 22 % alcohol.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
Similar
🥃 Glenfarclas · 🥃 Teaninich · 🥃 Glen Ord · 🥃 Ben Nevis · 🥃 Tamdhu · 🥃 Tamnavulin
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
What it includes
Sources
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- Brown-Forman: The GlenDronach Distillery announces over GBP 30m investment (James Allardice 1826, Valley of Forgue, PX and Oloroso sherry casks, demand tripled since 2016)
- Dram Scotland: Brown-Forman to invest GBP 30m in The GlenDronach distillery (1826, richly sherried Highland single malt, visitor centre 2020)
- Difford's Guide: The GlenDronach Distillery (est. 1826, Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire; Revival, Allardice, Parliament, Original relaunched 2009)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)