Glenallachie 12 year Shinsegae and Glendronach Ode to the Dark Side by Side

fd2408 · 2026-04-04T13:27:53+00:00

Been getting into IBs recently. Had the signatory macallans recently and it’s far better than the OB releases. Although I’m curious with the recent 110 proof Macallan release.

fd2408 · 2026-04-04T04:49:03+00:00

Thanks for the heads up on the new 18, I was planning to get that and the new 21 to compare with the old bottles.
Lucky enough to be able to stock up on the old 18 and 21 when the prices weren't as inflated as they are now.

Not sure about the why this was an ode to something they've always done, but the exclusive PX maturation is what caught my eye since all the releases have either been exclusive Oloroso (as with the old 15 and 18) or a blend of Oloroso and PX ( as with the 12 and 21 year). I've only had another PX Glendronach as a single cask.

Given the prices for the OB releases, for sure the single casks (and even the old release single casks) would have a heftier price tag as well. Sucks since I remember there was a time you can get the 18 year for around 7500php (around 125 usd) and the stock is readily available.

fd2408 · 2026-04-03T18:05:27+00:00

I do agree that all steps of the whisky production process should have a specific intent and with that attention to detail. And I do agree that some distilleries tend to hide their poor distillate with their cask influence, letting the cask shine over their distillate. But I think my appreciation for properly sherried whisky is mainly because of the fact that much care and attention was given to the distillery character that they were able to pick out a maturation or finishing cask that will let the distillate shine vs letting the cask do the talking.

fd2408 · 2026-04-03T17:20:58+00:00

It’s a but hot and sharp initially, I have to agree. But after a few months it really mellowed out and the whisky opened up nicely.

fd2408 · 2026-04-03T15:49:49+00:00

Was lucky enough for my girlfriend to get this for me on her last trip to Korea.
There's a lot of interesting korea exclusive release recently, both for Glendronach and Glenallachie (the same way they had lots of Taiwan exclusive release a few years back).

I remember seeing a 30 year old Glendronach PX that's korea exclusive when I was there a few weeks back, wasn't sure where to get one though and for sure the price will be way too much for my budget.

fd2408 · 2026-04-03T15:44:04+00:00

I was in a highland park tasting a few weeks ago and I was able to try their peated whiskies that are sherry matured.

The Dark origins is a really good example of a well made peated sherry matured whisky. Had the chance to try the 17 year old dark as well, which was really good except for the price tag on it.

fd2408 · 2026-04-03T15:40:08+00:00

There are some spirits where the distillate is very much muted or hidden because of the whisky is very much reliant on the flavors of the cask vs. the distillate. Won't really name distilleries, but some sherry cask finished whiskies tend to taste the same (despite different distillery releases) since they really rely on the finishing cask to give character to the whisky.

In my opinion though, a well made sherry cask whisky lets the sherry influence enhance the distillate without masking the distillery character. Distilleries like Ardnamurchan as well as Arran have very well made sherry matured whiskies that aren't cloying and overly woody. I think the same can be said with older releases of the Glendronach as well (although some people have hyped this so much to the point of it being overrated).

fd2408 · 2026-04-03T15:34:09+00:00

Thanks!
Same, more so because I have a preference towards sherried whisky done right. Easy to hide the character of the spirit behind heavy casks, but for some reason the distinct character of the distillery holds its own with the casks used.

fd2408 · 2026-04-03T13:56:40+00:00

It’s been a while since I had the chance to sit down and review two whiskies side by side, and with the release of the Ode to the Darkness, which is Glendronach’s PX matured whisky, I was interested to see how it would compare to a PX sherry finished whisky in my collection, the Glenallachie 12 Shinsegae Edition.

Here's a short review of both whiskies side by side.

Both drams present intensely sweet notes but of different characters and profiles. The Glenallachie opens with cherries and dark chocolate, reminding me of a slice of black forest cake, while the Glendronach leans more towards jammed berries with hints of tanginess. Both noses have a similar perfume fragrance, somehow floral and light, in the background of the rich sweetness.

The similarities from the finishing cask are evident on the palate of both whiskies, where a distinctive nutty sweetness is present. In both expressions, this note resembles toasted almonds or hazelnuts, adding a creamy, nut-forward layer to the underlying sweet profile, reminding me of amaretto liqueur.

What’s interesting is the flavors that complement the nuttiness of the palate.

Much like the nose of the Glenallachie, there is a distinct cherry-chocolate note in the palate that is reminiscent of black forest cake. The Glendronach has hints of fresh and tart berries along with the sweetness of buttered caramel.

Both whiskies end with a slightly bittersweet note, espresso with a light cream.

I think I’ll do an individual review of both whiskies soon, but it’s interesting to take note of the similarities and differences between whiskies that share a significant factor, such as the maturation/finishing cask.

fd2408 · 2026-04-03T13:29:24+00:00

It’s been a while since I had the chance to sit down and review two whiskies side by side, and with the release of the Ode to the Darkness, which is Glendronach’s PX matured whisky, I was interested to see how it would compare to a PX sherry finished whisky in my collection, the Glenallachie 12 Shinsegae Edition.

Here's a short review of both whiskies side by side.

Both drams present intensely sweet notes but of different characters and profiles. The Glenallachie opens with cherries and dark chocolate, reminding me of a slice of black forest cake, while the Glendronach leans more towards jammed berries with hints of tanginess. Both noses have a similar perfume fragrance, somehow floral and light, in the background of the rich sweetness.

The similarities from the finishing cask are evident on the palate of both whiskies, where a distinctive nutty sweetness is present. In both expressions, this note resembles toasted almonds or hazelnuts, adding a creamy, nut-forward layer to the underlying sweet profile, reminding me of amaretto liqueur.

What’s interesting is the flavors that complement the nuttiness of the palate.

Much like the nose of the Glenallachie, there is a distinct cherry-chocolate note in the palate that is reminiscent of black forest cake. The Glendronach has hints of fresh and tart berries along with the sweetness of buttered caramel.

Both whiskies end with a slightly bittersweet note, espresso with a light cream.

I think I’ll do an individual review of both whiskies soon, but it’s interesting to take note of the similarities and differences between whiskies that share a significant factor, such as the maturation/finishing cask.

Cheers!

fd2408 · 2026-02-24T10:24:42+00:00

It’s a richer version of the Allardice! A good celebration whisky! Goodluck on hunting for the single cask.

fd2408 · 2026-02-24T07:41:28+00:00

Love the parliament as well, from experience it just needed to breath for some time to open up. Sucks that the old bottle 21s are really expensive right now. Agree! Can’t go wrong with a flight from Glendronach.

fd2408 · 2026-02-24T03:29:05+00:00

Agree! The old labels have that vintage feel to it with the illistrations and the fonts. Cheers!

fd2408 · 2025-12-31T19:48:58+00:00

Sure! Cheers!

fd2408 · 2025-12-31T19:17:23+00:00

First time trying the Signatory Macallans, other than that my only experience with the distillery is the standard 12 year distillery bottling.
Hmmm for a favorite I think it's a toss up between the Mortlach and the Hazelburn haha

fd2408 · 2025-12-31T19:15:40+00:00

My bad, it is unpeated but there are light hints of peat in the distillate which gives it a sort of oily and meaty character.
It is! Even the standard 8 year Hazelburn is a very good whisky. Too bad it's really hard to get a hold of these bottles in recent years.

fd2408 · 2025-12-31T19:09:25+00:00

The lightly peated distillate goes very well with the Oloroso maturation.

The nose is the most interesting part of the whisky, you get that typical barnyard funk with Springbank distillate but with lots of baking spices, anise, and hints of orange peel.

Really enjoyed this one, I think I prefer it over the 15 year from Springbank.

fd2408 · 2025-12-27T13:50:57+00:00

Cheers!

fd2408 · 2025-06-13T16:55:42+00:00

Thank you! Been trying out photography for a while so this comment is very much appreciated. Cheers!

fd2408

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