Glendronach The Hielan 8 Year Old

Mellow, Sweet Fruity
2023-03-12

Since 2015, The Hielan 8 Years has been the entry into the standard range of single malt whiskies from the Glendronach distillery. By the way: Hielan is a Scottish word that refers to the mountainous part of Scotland that lies to the north and west of a line that runs roughly from Dumbarton via Ballater and from there to Nairn.

Smell

The single malt is very expressive on the nose. The main notes are lemon peel and plum, as well as a little woody-woody-wood. In addition, a nice butter toast, cane sugar and a strong vanilla can be found.

Taste

The Highlander opens really, really velvety soft. Followed by powerful oak paired with orange marmalade and sandalwood, the Scotch transitions into a nuttiness (almonds, hazelnuts) before the development finds its conclusion in soft sugar biscuits. Fabulously delicious!

Finish

The finish is medium long and warming with spicy oak and a touch of maltiness.

Conclusion

A perfect introduction to the world of whiskies from the Glendronach distillery. Really easy to drink, the Scotch matured for 8 years in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks gives a good idea of the profile of the distillery from the Scottish Highlands. As a classic representative of this region, the bottling is flattering enough for beginners and complex enough for experienced whisky drinkers. Another small highlight: the bottle is sometimes available for less than 30 euros, making it a clear value-for-money winner for us.

81/100 - Excellent
(Marcel: 81 | Sascha: 80)

Value for Money: Very Good

Purchase on Amazon (Affiliate)

Preview Image Source: The Whisky Exchange