Glendronach 21-Year-Old Parliament is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky aged for 21 years in a combination of oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. Bottled at 48% ABV, it is made from 100% malted barley.
Once again, you need to step into this dance, because it’s not jumping out at you. It’s full of earthy, slightly bitter cocoa; dried cherries and figs; a little toffee; and a sliver of green oak.
Mexican chocolate; hot pepper; watercress; oloroso sherry gains the upper hand; a fatty red meat note hangs back, as of beef brisket; wet ash; furniture polish; ginger snaps; black strap rum; menthol (at an acceptable level); vanilla bean; dry oaky tanins that turn bitter, along with anise. As Yoda says, "Complex, this one is!"
Rich sherried fruits on the full palate, with more pepper, ginger, and plain chocolate. The finish is long, with licorice and oak tannins. Not to be rushed!
The chocolate fruit and nut candy bar profile is nicely balanced with the barrels spices and alcohol proof allowing the whisky to be a pleasure and not what I'd call a sticky situation.
