Glendronach 18 Year-Old Vs 21 Year-Old

[@michaelshenk7658]

Great review. Love the banter back and forth between both of you, but always keeping it honest.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Thank you Michael, these comparison's are always fun to review.

[@keithpetersen560]

I've had 3 bottles of the 18 and 1 bottle of the 21. The 18 crushes the 21. I'm glad I still have an unopened bottle of the 2019 18 yr. Great review

[@ericmcdaniel2719]

This is the last year for the bumped up 21. Though I don't know if that technically ends for ones that were bottled by May of this year, or May of next year. Because I think they restarted in May.

[@topshelfwhisky]

I have to take a loom again but in my opinion the 2017 's are the ones to go for.

[@johanswe6890]

Thanks for the review! I used to prefer the 21 over the 18 with previous bottlings. I recently bought the 2021 editions of these. On the 18 it still says unchillfiltered but not on the 21 so it seems the 21 is the one they filter? The 18 I haven’t opened yet but the 21 is interesting. Initially I thought it was way inferior to previous bottlings but after some weeks of breathing it has become great. Based on my memory, older versions were better but still worth buying. New one also less spirity than older versions.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Its hard to tell, I have my favorite’s (2017) but that’s off memory. Something I really enjoy about side-by-side comparisons is how often I’m surprised by my final judgment. It’s my opinion they have slightly faded the last year or two but nostalgia can be a funny thing.

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

Never had the 21 but enjoyed 2017 and 2018 bottles of the 18. Have a 2019 put away. Cheers Guy's

[@welshtoro3256]

Great review guys. It's been a while since I had either but I always preferred the 18.

[@topshelfwhisky]

I haven;t had either in a year or two before this review but it was nice to revisit.

[@krishnar3493]

Compared 18 from late 2019 with 21 from 2016. I am still undecided as both are very different. 21 is blunt,waxy and sweet, may be I prefer that due to its higher abv. But agree, nose on 18 is great. Btw, you boys are well lit up. Excellent work, D&M.

[@pl3317]

Hate to say this, but I had an old Aberlour A'bunadh (batch 60) and a Glendronach 21 (2017) and I couldn't choose a winner. We were so lucky to get the A'bunadh batches for less than 50 Euros until they went downhill.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Batch 60 you say, 🤔

[@pl3317]

@@topshelfwhisky Batch 60 was one of the last really good ones but not the best - the earlier batches were better but I have them saved for special occasions 😄

[@arygerman6122]

PS - I have a photo of a 2017, 2018 and 2019 bottle next to each other but can't seem to post photos on the comments.

[@Brad-ic4bp]

I keep a bottle of the 15 year and 21 year on my shelf, because I don't drink much scotch so I figure I might as well only keep the good stuff (along with Glenfarclas 25 and Arran 18). I’ve searched but NEVER found a bottle of the Glendronach 18.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Of the three, you have the best one

[@Brad-ic4bp]

@@topshelfwhisky You're right - I finally found a bottle of the 18 year, and I think the 15 year is the best value of the bunch.

[@arygerman6122]

Good review. I agree that the 18 is better. I noticed that you have a 2019 bottling of the 18. 3 of us did a vertical tasting some time back of a 2011, 2017 and 2019. The results were interesting. There was very little to choose between the 2011 and the 2017 although the 2017 was a little richer. We all agreed that the 2017 was the best, closely followed by the 2011 and then the 2019 (not to say that the 2019 wasn't good, it was - just not as good). There was however a substantial difference between the 2017 and the 2019. The 2019 was definitely more subdued and lacked the rich sherry notes of the 2011 and 2017. I think that 2017 was the last batch that was bottled under Billy Walker (even though his name still appeared on the 2018 box). I don't know what changed when he left - maybe they started to use different casks. I also noticed that the 2019 bottle stated ""matured in the finest oloroso sherry casks ..." whereas the previous bottlings used to state "EXCLUSIVELY matured in the finest ... " I have heard that Billy Walker would use spirit as old as 28 years when blending the 18 which would explain why the 2017 and earlier bottles are visibly darker and richer but this is obviously speculation. Fact remains that you should try to get your hands on a 2016 or 2017 bottling of the 18 which I think are considered to be the best.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

That's interesting information there. I know we've had older bottlings of these in the past, but they're a bit too good to hold on to :)

[@squinugie2091]

I have never understood how GlenDronach could bottle these without being in actual breach of the regulations which state "any age statement on a bottle of Scotch whisky, expressed in numerical form, must reflect the age of the youngest whisky used to produce that product". If there is no 18 / 21 year old in some of these bottles the label does not comply with the regulations although of course none of us are complaining!

[@topshelfwhisky]

🤔 that’s true. Nope, no complaints

[@topshelfdustin3060]

wow awesome point. I never thought about that....It was always the youngest which is silly sometimes (new review coming on that topic).

[@squinugie2091]

@@topshelfdustin3060 The SWA rules are in my view a little elastic. Their definition of whisky is spirit of at least 40% ABV and their definition of blended malt whisky is a "whisky" from 2 or more distilleries. However if you mixed equally a product from one distillery at 50% ABV and one from another which was 38% ABV the final product would be fine even though one of the two components is not a whisky by their own definition!

[@rsconnor01]

It's been awhile since I tried these but I'll take the 18 every time. I have plenty of the 18s but not one 21.

[@topshelfwhisky]

It was fun to go back and revisit them but the single casks are the way to go, as I’m sure you know well… Keith just picked up a 20 year PX we tried yesterday, I’ll send you the cask number.

[@markmlinar1511]

I like the 21. I have 3 of each and this year will be the last of the "old" 21. I hate to use "better" as I like the experience and they aren't the same in many ways--so I love both. I'd laugh if the new ones are better--lol.

[@hosinooji]

I will pick the 18, very beautiful whisky and you fall in love with it right away.

[@NeilImmortal]

18 everytime, totally my favourite whisky. A 2019/20 bottle now costs the same as the 21... If you can find one! 🥺

[@topshelfwhisky]

Never a disappointing whisky.

[@superodfx]

Your 21 parliament, how long open do you reckon it took to reach its peak flavour? Thank you

[@topshelfwhisky]

a few months for these whiskies.

[@mbmaltman]

Pretty sure the GD18 and GD21 remain non chill filtered

[@topshelfdustin3060]

nope, 100% they no longer have that statement :(

[@mbmaltman]

@@topshelfdustin3060 ok, the statement is removed across the range but I read somewhere that the older expressions are unchanged. Of course, I understand that the fact it no longer states “non chill filtered” is the issue and we therefore will never know, but It doesn’t make sense the chill filter the 18/21 at 46/48% abv (unlike the 12 at 43% abv).

[@topshelfwhisky]

I wish that were true but I believe all the core rage in now chill-filtered. Hope I’m wrong.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

@@mbmaltman their statement was something like the change was minimal, but that indicates more or less they were already pushing the legal standards of chill filtering.

[@royn8032]

GD 18 > GD 21 by a large margin....In fact I think GD 18 can beat some of the highly sought after Japanese whiskeys

[@Houman7]

Have exact same bottles and I think 18 is definitely superior. In my opinion 21 is little bit too sweet and hot and it’s not maybe as balanced. My 18 is almost 1/3 full and it’s now at its prime

[@topshelfwhisky]

After side-by-side have to agree with you. Before the video would not of guessed that would be my opinion but here we are. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Sinier940n]

Glendronach 18 is very hard find thses days. Any alternatives?

[@topshelfwhisky]

Kavalan available around you?

[@Sinier940n]

​@@topshelfwhisky It is, but I've heard that Kavaland can be heavy on sulfur.

[@topshelfwhisky]

@@Sinier940n depends on age but the 5-6 year olds seem to be the sweet spot.

[@royn8032]

Dewars 32 beats GD 18 all day and night guys

[@Dai240888]

Kavalan is a great alternative but i would also suggest Glen Garioch 15 and Speyburn 18

[@richardking9607]

Great review! Agree, the GD18 Billy Walker is the better of the two! PX adds too much sweetness for me.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

The age change didn't pend on HER appointment....so I"m guessing she didn't do much on those transition bottles cause they were great too! But I think her name was on both these bottles.

[@thescotchhunter8770]

My 2019 Allardice must have been a one off…heavy sulfur and balsamic vinegar. My 2017 Parlament is hands down much better.

[@topshelfwhisky]

The 2017 release is still my favorite. They do vary some.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

oh wow, vinegar isn't a note I've had on gledronach.

[@MrPsiman]

the 18 has always been better to me and less sweet. $135 and it curb stomps Macallan 18 that is over $300

[@topshelfwhisky]

Mac 18 is over $400 locally now! But still chill filtered and 43%.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

Wouldn't it be wonderful to find these 18's for 135 still! Or mac under 400

[@MrPsiman]

@@topshelfdustin3060 Remedy was the last of the $135 18's and they are gone and will come back with the chill filtered stuff and at least $20 more expensive. I'm glad I bought 3 last year when there was still some left