Nice review, Geoff. I bet a lot of people will envy you for this bottle :) In October 2019 I managed to snatch a bottle of 2017 Glendronach 18 yo by sheer luck. I was at the store of one of the big importers of whisky in Bulgaria who does Edradour, Glenfarclas, Hunter Laing, Signatory Vintage, Douglas Laing, Omar and some others, but NOT Glendronach. I was there to buy a bottle of Edradour 15 Fairy Flag and while waiting for my bottle to be retrieved from the warehouse I was just browsing the shelves and spotted the Allardice bottle. I asked if it was for sale and they said: of course:) The price I paid was roughly 70 euros. So i walked out of the store with Edradour 15 Fairy Flag, Glendronach 18 Allardice and one crystal Glencairn glass :) I guess living in a poоr country with undeveloped market for luxury goods has its pros, like (almost) everything in this life actually... Less than a month later the 2019 release also made it to our market so I tucked two bottles of it too :) The price was roughly 80 euros. I ordered the bottles on the phone and mentioned that the price is way too low for such a whisky. After I made my order I tipped a colleague of mine about the whisky and literally 15 minutes later he also ordered some, but the price was already 10 euros more. I still feel guilty about that :) I haven't opened neither of these bottles so far, but I'll definitely will, whenever I feel my palate is ready and proper occasion presents itself. I have had a bottle of the 12 yo Original. Didn't blew me away but still I found it very nice. I prefer Glenallachie 12 by far though. Nevertheless I might give it a second chance and get a bottle or two of it, especially having in mind the perspective of chill filtration. Also it is still very reasonably priced at roughly 35 euros where I am. The 15 yo is nowhere to be found around here and the 21 yo is IMHO too overpriced. Cheers :)

Great review, history past and present. The distillers and where they have gone. Billy Walkers GlenAllachie has to be value for money here... get some. Have the GDron 12,15,18,21 and bought a stash of 3 each of the old 12's and 15's. Thanks for the very pointed review.

Love your reviews and recommendations, from HK. The GD18 and GD21 legend is undeniably talk of the town. Recently, out of curiosity a few whisky friends of us carefully tasted and emptied two bottles of the GD18 01June2020 version against one Oct2020 and One Nov2020 bottle. We found little if no difference in complexity and depth. absolutely No difference in colour. All are great taste oloroso sherry drams. There is only unnoticeable subtle difference in fruit note. We know that Glendronach re-open on 14May2020. Bottling date shortly before 14May2020 could be of age 24yo or more. And, bottling date post 14May2020 may be revert to the true age of 18, if the factory will do on its will. The difference of a 18yo whisky against a 24yo whisky is such obvious that most whisky friends could tell. We found no difference however, in all of our good faith. Interestingly, we notice there are constantly around 10 bottling batches in 2018 and 2019 for the GD18 Allardice. However, up to the moment (almost end of Aug2021), we only see one bottling batch of 01June2020 in the market. No other bottling supply for whole 2020. It could be the effect of the COVID lock down, or, as a wild guess, Glendronach has reduced the supply because the juice there is more precious than before. Some forum discussion quoted contact from Glendronach saying that it does not want a sudden change to the quality of its very important core range product, it will engage a smooth change that is not yet installed. Some said that the 01June bottling was in fact originally scheduled work for early 2020 (before 14 May), that may be the last oldest batch with actual age of 25. Hope you will have the time and patience comparing and let your fans know. Drink in good health.

Great review Geoff. The Allardice is my favourite followed by the parliament,I’ve been lucky in my market here in NZ to track down a few of the 2017 bottles i also plan on drinking them all. I also have a few bottles of the 2018 parliament which also still carry’s the Billy walker signature as master distiller.cheers

Hi Jeff I have 5 bottles of the glendronach 18year old, 2015 released bottles, I payed $169.00 each for them when they were bought in 2021, I wouldn't sell them for less than $250.00 a bottle now. I only drink one of these for a special occasion, and I have a open bottle 🍼 now, this is the best whiskey I have out of 200 bottles on my shelves, I don't have any plans for buying anymore glendronach that's chill filtered, I just don't think it will be a repeat of the old that I'm drinking now, but I have several of the old bottles of the 15year old also unopened, I just love the glendronach's that I have, good reviews of the old stuff, cheers sir and keep the great videos coming !!!

Excellent review, Geoff. Another on my shopping list. Not sure what bottlings my specialist shop will have ... but I'll be taking careful note. Thanks to you and all your commenters.👍👍

Nice review! The old Billy Walker GD 18s and the Bunna 18 are the go-to Sherry Bombs for me. Keep up the good work.

Found a 2017 bottling collecting dust in a small shop last month. I gave it a new home and promised to look after it ;)

Best whisky I've ever tasted by a longshot. I could sip on this for the rest of my life and not complain.

Interesting. I bought the 2019 bottle thinking it was the last year of the billy walker bottlings (since it’s @23 yrs old). Not sure how Rachel (Dr. Rachel, that is) could have much impact on the old batches? None the less, I still bought the 2019 & a 2016. Also have the 2012, 13, 14 & 2015 bottlings of the older Revivals. I missed out (so far) on the 21year old. I just might talk myself into buying one last Billy Walker Glendronach 21 before the sun sets on that as well. Although it’s getting pricey As far as the new stuff, eh, not interested at this time. Lots of other options. Glad you revisited these modern classics once again.

Interesting history lesson ! Glowing review. Wow. Nice!

Nice review. I’m with Ralfy on his opinion about clearing the shelves of non-chill filtered Glendronach. Why reward a company who is about to ruin their whisky by buying up all their old stock? Instead I’m going to focus on buying Arran, Springbank, Bunnahabhain, ect bottles and let the Glendronach bottles collect dust.

I've been a bit fan of the 18--until I had the June 2020 release (in Japan) which reverted to being truly 18 years of age. The 2018 and 2019 still had older whiskies in them and had some depth of flavor. The 2020 release was a lot thinner and lacked character and the quality really falls off compared to the 2019 bottling. Definitely taste newer releases before buying. Personally, I have given up on the 18 after 2019.

Yeah, I had to watch this before I went to buy whisky Friday. My store has 1 left of Billy Walker 18...probably the same January 8, 2016 batch since my other two are from that...My open bottle is down below half.. You already changed my mind on the Glencadam 21....He wants $140us for his last 18...too much to me since I bought my other two for $82us/each...in 2020. I will offer him a bit less and see if he takes it. Or, I will have to decide if I want two great bottles of another brand. I could buy another of his GD12s for $55us and buy a great 18 of another distillery.. Decisions one has to make in the whisky game.... Be a shame to have that 18 go to some punter and not be on my shelf as back up. Ha ha.. Cheers...always great advice Geoff

I had a 2017 bottle, empty now, really good stuff. Had a stand up (with a few friends) against Glengoyne Teapot dram batch 6, Glen Garioch 15yo Sherry cask matured and Edradour 10yo SFTC... it was quite a battle ;)....The Glengoyne Teapot Dram came out as a winner

Coal fired stills made a hugh difference IMO.

Hey G, I got the 2018 version 2018/01/10 to be exact. NCF NC. It is still a Billy Walker product. It's a very dark whisky. And online store has more stocks to it. Im opening one now. Should I stock up? Although it is 200$ out here. or 10,000 PhPesos

good review as always..

Oh man I knew I had a 2017 in the bunker and I went upstairs to see whose signature was on it and with the Doc’s.. 😞 must have been right after the takeover. Oh well, still a fantastic whisky for the price I bought it for. If I may, and if you can get your hands on it, I would love to see a review of Glendalough 13 Mizunara! There’s been a lot of buzz about it in the last year, and last week’s Whisky Mystery really pushed it into my wish list hard. Thanks for the great content, as always!

Just had my wife pick one up while in the UK via amazon - came out to less than 125$...

Hi Geoff. Since you are so experienced with Glendronach 18, I would like to hear what do you can say about the experience I’m having. Opened my first GD18 two days ago and I’m having some trouble with it. In the nose I find it too vinagre and in taste I find it too biter. I didn’t have any problemas with the 15 wich I love or with other sherry bomba like the Abunnadh. I would love to love this whisky.

request:Can you do a review of Glendronarch 15 new batch?i would like to hear your thoughts after the started chill filtering..

Review Fleurieu Distillery!!

Great review..I also miss the old 'Dronach. I recently found a couple 2014 12YO Sauternes cask bottles in NY at retail ($70US). Obviously with Billy Walker's name on them. I'm thinking: crack one open, save the other. Have you tried that expression? Thanks!

Hey! I'm thinking of buying an Allardice bottled in 2019 for 170€. Would this bottle fall under the billy walker years? Or is it hard to say.

How about the new Royal brackla 18 yo 46%?

I have 4 bottles of Glendronach 18yo 2018 and they are Billy Walker as well. Bought the 18yo between $120-140 but now i can see around $190. I also have 3 bottles of the Glendronach 15yo 2014 & 2015 bought it back then for between $80-90. Now with the changes in Glendronach to Chill Filtering, should i buy the NCF 21yo 2020? Or there is still NCF 21yo 2021?

I recently opened a Billy Walker 2018 version of GD18. Compare to the GD 18 I tried back around 2017, I must say the quality of Whisky went downhill so fast, I wonder did I purchased a bad batch. I not even sure I want to open my 2014 bottle...

Great stuff! Would you care to check on the 8 years old unchill-filtered some time? I am looking forward to your opinion. Greets, Simone

Interesting! Haven't tried this one, sounds like an old-school type as Edradour Caledonia style. Recently I try Arran 18, really love it as your review: typical sherry note but still retaining that fresh juicy Arran character, a great modern style. I notice you take the Arran over GlenDronach 18 on comment below, is it mainly because GlenDronach taste more "typical/common"?

Nice info thanks. What's your thoughts on the 1993 30 year old bottled in 2023. Is this from the billy walker Walker days and would it be older than 30 years. Have you tried this one?

Currently two Glendronach are on my shelf:18yo(2017) and cask strengh batch 3 18yo no doubt is the rockstar of sherry bomb, i dont wanna face the moment of last pour CS batch3 is a hidden gem, if using now day standard, and you can tell Billy Walker added some old cask into it, and the best part is it was a dusty bottle in suburb shop asking for $80 but because NAS CS was overshadowed by 15yo back to 2010s, so i still able to found that hidden gem.

Finally saw this today on the shelf (in the glass cabinet) of my local Total Wine. I really like the 15 ($100) year and 21 year ($300), so I'm wondering if it's worth buying the 18 year for $219 - especially if its taste leans more toward the 15 year.

Thanks for clarifying that you're drinking every drop. I get so tired of the price valuation hype.

Have you tried the Glendronach Doric? Understand it was only released in Taiwan (hard to find now) but curious if you ever gave it a try?

Rachel Barrie 버전의 글렌드로낙 18년에 대한 당신의 생각이 궁금합니다. 빌리 워커 버전보다 좋습니까? 레이첼 버전의 점수도 궁금합니다.

phantom diary 1 second ago How would you rank Glendronach 18, Glenlevit 18 and Glenmorangie 18? Thanks alot!

But I’ve heard GD18 is chill filtered and added color nowadays

I feel about Glendronach the way you feel about Glengoyne… I just don’t get it!! Have had four of them now. Thought the 18 was OK (but definitely not my favourite 18YO). Didn’t like any of the others I tried (8/12/15). Maybe I have a weird palate…

Hi G. Does glendronach 18 have a 'chill filtered' version already? im buying online but they didnt display the actual product. Im afraid they give me the CF version.

I have bottle of GlenDronach 1990 number 027 of 402 . Do you think is worth keeping as a investment?

My bottle is from 2020 :(. Non chilled filtered tho. I thought Ralfy said they were not going to be chilled filtered after some communication with glendronach. I could be mistaken tho

Macallan 18 sells for $400, this GlenDronach 18 is now over $200, both great, but they've priced me out, so I'm not buying either. Glengoyne 21 and even the 25 used to be decent budget alternatives, but even those have skyrocketed in price over the past few years, so 100% Sherry Matured bottles with some age on them are getting pretty thin on the ground for those of us without a trust-fund. Would Glenfarclas 17 for under $120 be a decent "budget" alternative? I might need to investigate ✌️

IM SO HIGH RIGHT NOW THAT WHEN YOU POINT IN THE INTRO I DUCK EVERYTIME.

How can I tell when it was bottled?

Bought a 2016 Allardice for my birthday, and FedEx lost it :(

I'm here because I just saw a bottle of this on the shelf and your review isn't helping my fomo AT ALL. The only thing helping it is that it's this year's expression.

👍🏻

Finally, 2023 sees a few bots returning to Ontario for . . . 230 $CA, then again Dalmore 15 is 190 $CA ! ! --- will get 1 for profile.

if macallan 18 is 10/10，how will you scoring this