Dining

The Glendronach expands ultra premium whisky range with 30- and 40 Year Old single malts

GLENDRONACH_Ultra Premium_40_Year whisky

Renowned for its richly-sherried single malts, Highland distillery The Glendronach has just introduced two premium aged whiskies, a 30 Year Old and a 40 Year Old, which it describes as “landmark expressions.”

Having spent decades in the distillery’s traditional dunnage warehouses, in the Valley of Forgue, each is drawn from Spanish sherry casks and, according to the distillery, exemplify the depth of flavour and complexity that has become its signature.  

The limited editions join the new 21-year-old Glendronach, released earlier this year, completing an ultra-premium core range.

The addition of Amontillado is said to introduce refined layers of toasted hazelnut and crème caramel…

New aged statements offer a taste of time

The Glendronach 30 Year Old has spent three decades maturing in Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, and, for the first time, Amontillado sherry casks. This latter is said to introduce refined layers of toasted hazelnut and crème caramel, complementing the richer notes of dark cherry, chocolate, and spiced fruit.

Master Blender Rachel Barrie describes the 30 Year Old as “a symphony from our most historic sherry cask styles.”

We’re told the whisky, bottled at 46.8% ABV, delivers an enveloping palate of glazed cherry and sultana cake, cinnamon raisin-nut toffee and chocolate hazelnut café crème.

The liquid is presented in a luxurious case, crafted from stained Walnut Curl Veneer; its surface engraved with 30 facets to honour those three decades in captivity.

The Glendronach 40 Year Old 2025 tasting notes

With an outturn of just 300 bottles worldwide, the sibling 40 Year Old is positioned as the ultimate Glendronach expression. Composed of whiskies laid down in 1978, 1983, and 1984, it’s matured in Spanish Oak Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks.

At a natural cask strength of 43.9% ABV, the whisky is distinguished by its striking black ochre colour. On the nose, tasting notes speak of black cherry, stewed plum and blackberry, layered with indulgent sherry-soaked chocolate gateau, while the palate reveals blackcurrant and bramble compote, luscious prune and raisin wine interwoven with velvety cinnamon-laced chocolate espresso.

Barrie describes the release as an “exceptionally distinctive single malt – at forty years  old, it represents four decades of sherry cask refinement.”

The venerable Scotch is presented in a dark stained rosewood case with brass handles, resting on a golden plinth, underlining its rarity and status.

The Glendronach 30-Year-Old sells for £1,000, while the Glendronach 40-Year-Old, 2025 Edition is priced at £5,000. Both are available from Selfridges.

Main points at a glance: Glendronach 30- & 40-Year-Old Whiskies (2025 Release)

  • Glendronach Distillery (est. 1826, Valley of Forgue) unveils two limited-edition aged single malts for 2025:
    • 30-Year-Old
    • 40-Year-Old 2025 Edition
  • Both whiskies matured in Spanish sherry casks (Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, and Amontillado), showcasing the brand’s signature depth and complexity.
  • 30-Year-Old Highlights:
    • First use of Amontillado casks adds toasted hazelnut and crème caramel
    • Bottled at 46.8% ABV
    • Tasting notes: cherry and sultana cake, cinnamon raisin-nut toffee and chocolate hazelnut café crème
    • Described by Master Blender Rachel Barrie as “a symphony from our most historic sherry cask styles”
  • 40-Year-Old Highlights:
    • Composed of whiskies from 1978, 1983, and 1984
    • Matured in Spanish Oak Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez
    • Bottled at natural cask strength (43.9% ABV)
    • Tasting notes: blackcurrant, raisin, cinnamon-laced chocolate espresso
    • Presented in a rosewood case with brass handles on a golden plinth
    • Only 300 bottles worldwide
  • Pricing & Availability:
    • 30 Year Old: £1,000
    • 40 Year Old: £5,000
    • Available at Selfridges

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About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and Editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Good Housekeeping, Louder Sounds, StereoNet and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter/X, Tiktok and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK