OK, so you want to surprise your friends with a good glass of whisky. One that you are very sure they have never drunk before. Then pull open a bottle of The GlenDronach 50 Years Old...

After all, this is not just any whisky. This is the oldest and rarest whisky from this Highland distillery to date. And thus a milestone in the almost bicentenary history of The GlenDronach.

The rare whisky has been protected and nurtured in the traditional warehouses of The GlenDronach for more than half a century. It has survived floods and harsh winters in the Highlands. It makes it a tangible, indeed a drinkable, story of dedication and mastery by the whisky makers who have dedicated their lives, with highs and lows, to protecting and nurturing this exceptionally rare Scotch Single Malt.

The GlenDronach 50 Years Old first quietly matured for decades in rare Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Spanish bodegas from Jerez in Andalusia. Followed by a final ageing in only a Pedro Ximénez cask. Because after 50 years of maturation, with 1% of the maturing whisky evaporating each year, little remains of what was produced 50 years ago. To be precise, only 198 bottles, which must find their way to equally lucky customers worldwide. Only two of them are for sale in the Netherlands. So should you be interested, make a dash to your specialist liquor store. Oh, and don't forget to bring €23,530. Because that's what it costs.

Facts

Appearance: Antique mahogany chestnut

Nose: Ripe black cherries and plums are the prelude to a harmony of rolling stone fruit, gentian and a plume of smouldering tobacco - lifted by gentle notes of blackberry, orange and cranberry.

Flavour: Firm undertones of dark chocolate, tobacco and cocoa form an exquisite confluence of flavour. A perfect taste of elegant plums and luxurious black cherries, enveloped in a strip of velvety espresso.

Alc: 43.8%

Each hand-numbered bottle of The GlenDronach 50 Years Old is presented in a luxurious, genuine leather case. This combined with a leather booklet with embossed details about the distillery's history, tasting notes and unique craftsmanship.