Glendronach 12 review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 พ.ย. 2024
- Glendronach have come under a little fire recently. Since Brown-Foreman took the decision to start chill-filtering this distilleries product...I think it's safe to say that they have lost a fan or two. Does that extend to this Novice? Watch and see.
Enjoy.
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Single Malt: Whisk(e)y made by one distillery using malted barley.
Single Grain: Whisk(e)y made by one distillery using one or a selection of grains (usually corn, wheat, rye, etc.)
Blended Malt: Whisk(e)y made by blending single malts from more than one distillery.
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Have had some great GlenDronach expressions in the past. However, after an email regarding the removal of the unchillfiltered notification from the bottle, I received a bullshit answer (most likely from their marketing department). And for me the marketing bullshit 'did the trick'...
... so thanks Brown Foreman, you've lost an until then satisfied customer. Many more non GlenDronach whiskies to explore.
Regarding the review: honest and decent as usual. Thanks Jim.
Slàinte mhath
Thank you Frank. I know this really did "ruffle a few feathers" as we'd say. I haven't actually had too many adventures in Glendronach land prior to the last couple of years so I don't have a lot to work from but...I totally understand how fans of this distillery could feel betrayed by Brown-Forman's actions.
Slàinte my friend.
@@artificial-frequencies that is beyond generous, Daniel. Highly appreciated!
Just as well we are blessed with choice for integrity expressions. Its a strange backward step. If BF believe they will turn GD into a mass market Scottish version of Jameson then I think they will be disappointed. GD was always an enthusiasts brand. Not anymore but anyway... There is a detectable difference with CF . I didnt think there would be, but on a side by side tasting it can be found. In the same way as whole milk is different to semi skimmed.
I agree with you across the board on this one. It is a good dram that I enjoyed in the past. I have not bought the non-chill filtered version, yet. But, while I wish they didn't chill filter it, I buy other whisky that is chill filtered and I'll buy this again. They took a step backward and I bet Billy Walker has shed a tear to see the brand he built go astray. But, I refuse to get all worked up about it. People running the company are making decisions they believe in. Hopefully, they will preserve the quality otherwise. Thank for always being open with your thought, Jim.
From what I've seen in the comments Bud, it would certainly appear that Glendronach's move to chill-filtration is more of an annoyance than a deal breaker to most of us.
I sort of get the feeling though that, when Billy Walker took over, he took it back to grass roots and in so doing, made it a whisky better suited to enthusiasts. Obviously Brown-Forman are more interested in "turning a buck" which...I can't really fault them for but...how many people were buying Glendronach and complained that it went cloudy when they added (I was gonna say water but let's face it...) ice?
It is a shame but...it happens I suppose.
Cheers my friend.
I can still find this UCF and natural color for about $55 US. Perfect timing for this review. You were great on the vPub BTW. Cheers.
Hi Jim. A whisky I really like. Haven’t had the latest Glendronach’s though, mainly because Ive still got Billy Walker Glendronach’s (12,15,18) still closed in my cellar and my money goes on other malts now anyway. Its not because of the chill filtration because I buy malts that are chill filtered, its that I want to try other drams. Anyway Brown/Formen are to big too worry about us malt fans, there is a huge Asien market for Glendronach whisky opening up and they don’t want their whisky to cloud up when ice is put in.Thanks Jim for this enjoyable review and slàinte mhath.
Cheers David. Yeah, I don't think Glendronach will suffer as a result of upsetting a few enthusiasts.
Jim, unless you'll be praising Dalmore 12 as the pinaccle of single malt whisky, I'm pretty relaxed and positive we won't be going anywhere. Yes, Glendronach (or rather Brown Forman) have ballsed things up, big time, but (in tempore non suspecto) this was a lovely enviting whisky that could be enjoyed by pretty much anyone regardless of where they were in their journey. Have yet to try one without the UCF statement, but seems like it still stands its ground.
I think/hope you're right Menno. And, although I may review a Dalmore 12 one of these days...I can't see it being garnished with a whole lotta praise.
Cheers mate.
Haha what a tasting note, brown lemonade. I have yet to try the new 'non chill filtered' versions, but I am/was a big fan of their stuff...I suppose it'll not stop me buying Glendronach full stop, in the sense of a boycott, but it definitely gives me a pause to stop and consider other options.
There seem to be a few sharing your views Matthew. Cheers.
As a bourbon fan I really like the barrel strength Jack Daniel's and it goes toe to toe with the best. I really wonder if Brown-Forman are so bad in a business sense that they would eff up something special so badly, but time will tell. I still enjoy Glengoyne 12 and it definitely goes cloudy when cold even though it doesn't say it isn't chill-filtered. Cheers for an honest appraisal Jim, slainte.
Cheers Billy. Definately don't think the change on Brown-Forman's behalf will be noticed at their annual financial meeting 😄.
Old No.7 is the money maker. All else is gravy. And the SBBP is NAS, in a very pretty bottle.
It is true that some number cruncher is running around the office saying "if we add 3% (free) water that's 3% more profit"
Another great vid Jim. Glendronach has been boring me of late and even before the change the prices here in the States for the 12 were getting north of 60 usd. Won't pay that for 43 abv, chill filtered or not. I don't mind paying more for interesting and unique indie bottles but their core range(besides the Allardice which I truly adore) has left me wanting. Cheers buddy.
Cheers Bill. That's a great argument against them that you put up there. Hard to disagree with it.
Thanks buddy.
Nice review, Jim.
I have had a bottle of this one, 2018 release and found it pretty nice. Haven't replaced it yet. Bottles from 2018-2019 are still readily available in Bulgaria for 34-35 euros so I'm considering buying one for the stash just to have a snapshot of what Glendronach 12 has been before the dreaded chill filtration.
I have never seen my 2018, non chill filtered Glendronach 12 turning cloudy in the glass after adding water to it, even being bottled at 43 % ABV. So, IMHO either the whisky have always been heavily "non chill" filtered or there hasn't been much to be filtered, i.e. stripped, anyway. So, I don't think that the new Glendronach 12 will be nocieably lesser dram than the one from pre-2020.
A solid, competently put together, non offensive, mild, sweet sherried, entry level malt. This is what it have always been, besides the bottlings that had significantly older spirit due to the mothballing of the distillery from 1996 to 2002.
Cheers!
Cheers my friend. I think time will tell with this expression. I don't think the chill-filtration will cost Brown-Forman much in the long run. It is a shame though.
@@WhiskeyNovice I don't care about Brown-Forman. As for me it is no big deal either. My whisky consuption is relatively low, 30 ml 3-4 times a week and I want to taste as much quality malts as possible. Glendronach 12 didn't blow my socks off in the first place to crave for it. I have tasted it, liked it, time to move on with something else😀
A great value 12 year that delivers much to enjoy. Jolly Ranchers and brown lemonade...ahh. You can still get the JR mix to add water to. Not sure what it was called down in your area, but up here in the sticks, a vodka and brown lemonade was called a lollipop! In my youth, I had a few (many) before I wised up and jumped on the whiskey train. Cheers mucker.
Cheers Al. I remember a mate of mine saying how, when he went away, he would ask for a vodka and white. "A white what" one barman asked. "White lemonade" my mate said. "But sure it's all white" the barman countered. To which my mate had a story to tell 😄😄
Great review as always Jim. Is it chill filtered? Yes. Does it taste good? Yes. It's our money we don't have to buy it of we don't like it but I for one will continue to buy. 👍
Well said Ben. That pretty much sums up my feelings on it. Cheers man.
Thought you would recommend as an alternative Glenallachie 12
Here in Cambodia, I keep buying liters of Billy Walker era 12...I doubt the new brown foreman version will make it here for a good long while...
I would like to put them side by side and see for myself...
Cheers...
I do not believe in shooting the messenger...ha ha
😄😄 cheers Jeff. I think it would make for an interesting blind challenge.
@@WhiskeyNovice I bought a bottle of The Macallan 12 sherry cask to do a head to head...In the end, I must admit, I liked them both..
But, A liter of my Billy Walker is $57usd and 700ml of The Mac is $73.50...
I assume the Mac is chill filtered and it is only 40%.
Personally, I just wish I could buy Glenallichie here and move on in my journey...
If you can get hold of old 12 year old Glendronachs, you should definitely be looking for pre 2017 15 year old revivals, as well as pre 2019 18 year old Allardices. (basically anything with Billy Walker on the tin)
I would buy up as much as I could (cases), not only can you probably sell them for a pretty penny later, but they are apparently the best there is from Glendronach and you would be good for many years to come.
Jimbo, BROWN LEMONADE!!! Viet Nam flashbacks!!! We used to get the fizzy drink lorry at the end of the road and we'd buy the bottles off back and a tin o'minurl. :P.
I like the Glendronach too. It's hard not to, but I wish they wouldn't fouter wi' it too much. I was back in Scotland a wee while back and got to go to Glendronach. Beautiful spot. Did the Master Blender tour with Bill. Excellent time and great craic altogether. Even got to make my own wee malted blend at the end out of 5 cask strengths in front of me. Good times. :)
Happy days, nice one Rich. I get the impression that a lot of folk out there don't (and wouldn't) know what brown lemonade is or tastes like so they're missing out on that delicate note 😉😄.
Cheers mucker.
@@WhiskeyNovice C&C brown lemonade. Used it to make shandies at The Inn on the Park in Dungannon. :)
It's a fine whisky, but I can't see myself ever replacing my first bottle. It's not cheap in the US so a bump up to the Revival would be something.Not sure what but it's an idea. I did replace my Glengoyne 12 but it was a special release with a glencairn and $10 less the Glendronach.
Yes, I must admit that these bottles have enough of the essence of what single malt can be to entice a novice. Obviously! I'm hooked. Even if you can buy better presented 10 year olds and 13 year olds these particular 12 year olds are really key stepping stones on the taste and smell journey. And if for nothing else to learn self control...down the hatch without getting pissed.
😄😄 all very true. Cheers Matt.
Brown lemonade! That's a blast from the past. My Granny used to get 3 bottles of the stuff from the Yacht or Maine lemonade man.
I have decided to limit my whisky stash to 12 bottles at any one time and when one bottle is killed it's replaced. GlenDronach have just given me a good reason to look elsewhere for a good example of a sherry matured scotch. It's a shame
Cheers Craig. Ahh the Maine mineral man. Still doin' the rounds and still doin' brown lemonade as far as I know 😄.
I'll still buy Glendronach in fairness. I like their whisky and, not having much experience with it before they decided to chill-filter, I'll continue to enjoy it. I just find it a shame that they've felt it necessary to do so. They've alienated a lot of fans.
I’m not a Sherry bomb man. They are enjoyable enough but I wasn’t as 💔 as some folk were with the new dronach direction. Everyone can see Glenallachie is Clubber Lang coming for the Sherry top dog spot but that said I would easily take this over Aberlour 12, Glenfiddich 15 or Macallan 12 especially on the price. I did get a bit of a twisted kick out of everyone waiting for the next batch of Allardice 18 at 22 years old. Epic shithousery from Brown Forman there putting it out at 43% 🤣
😄😄 too right Greig. Shithousery at its best.
Cheers mate.
I think the nose delivers very well on this one, but the palate does not. To me it is just a little flat and not so exciting, the 15 is better, but the 18 knocks both of them, even in 2021.
Better than Glengoyne 12, I would take the Bunahabbhain 12 over both of them.
If you like this try....Glenallachie 12. [winks]
Oh...contraversial 😄😄
Cheers man.
Personally, I’ll be boycotting GlenDronach where I can, I’d rather put my money into the man who put GlenDronach where it is & invest in a true integrity bottling, of course I’m referring to GlenAllachie. Brown-Forman may be a big Multinational, but people are a powerful shifter of power, ask the likes of Motorola or Nokia, that thought they could do what they wanted & quickly lost their positioning as number 1 mobile phone brands. We need to make enough noise that even the novices into whisky become educated about integrity bottling. You probably one of the few reviewers still reviewing GlenDronach & it was review channels that highlighted brands like GlenDronach when I was a novice coming into the whisky scene, so if it’s no longer reviewed, it’ll be no longer highlighted as an enthusiast brand of choice.
If we keep supporting multinationals like Brown-Forman, they’ll keep buying integrity brands & changing them. If we stop supporting them in brands they’ve changed like GlenDronach, they’ll see a loss of share on the brand & the next brand they purchase, they’ll think twice before making changes.
Strong words Clinton. Well said. Cheers mate.
I tend to agree, but as Glenallachie stands now, especially here, there is nothing to shout hoorah about really. The core range is pretty bland (actually, the 12 is the only one I really like, the 15 is pretty bland and the 18 is a bitter and expensive experience). Their single-casks are mostly young and mostly finished in something else, which indicates pretty poor casks available. Not even BW can make gold out of coal.
I am on the fence until we see bottles distilled, casked and bottled under BW.