GlenDronach 21 Year Old Scotch Whisky
48% ABV (96 proof) | 700mL | 21 years old | "Parliament" — full-term Oloroso + Pedro Ximénez sherry cask maturation — the GlenDronach 21 Year Old "Parliament" is one of the great sherry-matured Scotch whiskies: a Highland single malt matured a full 21 years — not finished — in a combination of the finest Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks from Andalucía, Spain. Non chill-filtered, natural colour, bottled at 48%. From The GlenDronach distillery in Forgue Valley, Aberdeenshire (founded 1826 by James Allardice) — available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
"Parliament" is not a Westminster reference: it is named for the parliament — the colony — of rooks that has nested in the trees overlooking the distillery for nearly 200 years. That patience runs through the whisky: deep amber with a cherry wood sheen, ripe autumnal fruits and rich Oloroso sherry on the nose, a palate of bitter chocolate sauce over plum pudding with cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg, and a long, lingering finish with smooth tannins. Among sherried malts, this is the connoisseur's reference point.
Tasting notes
Official distillery notes: appearance — deep amber with a cherry wood sheen; nose — ripe autumnal fruits (blackberries, red plums), rich Oloroso sherry, candied orange, spiced oatmeal biscuits, toasted oak; palate — fine Oloroso sherry and bitter chocolate sauce over plum pudding, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg; full-bodied with smooth tannins; finish long and lingering.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- 21 years full-term in Oloroso + PX sherry casks — maturation, not a finish
- 48% ABV, non chill-filtered, natural colour — presented the traditional way
- The "Parliament" expression, named for the distillery's 200-year rook colony
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Neat in a Glencairn with 10 minutes in the glass — the sherry needs air. A splash of water is optional; never ice for a whisky of this age.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called "Parliament"?
After the parliament (colony) of rooks that has nested in the trees overlooking the GlenDronach distillery for nearly 200 years — not the British Parliament.
What does "full-term sherry maturation" mean?
The whisky spent its entire 21 years in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks — it was not aged in bourbon casks and "finished" in sherry. That's the GlenDronach signature.
Is it chill-filtered or coloured?
Neither — non chill-filtered and natural colour, bottled at 48% ABV.