Convalmore 33 Years Old 1975 Rare Old (G&M)

The Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail selected this Convalmore, a 33 year old, distilled in 1975, bottled at 43%. Convalmore, founded in 1894 and named for the Conval Hills, closed in 1985. It passed to DCL and Scottish Malt Distillers in the 1920s and was modernised, gaining steam heating and four stills.

The spirit was distilled for a firm, fruity Speyside spirit, for the firm, fruity make Convalmore was known for. Maturation in an Oloroso cask laid dried fruit over the fruit. Ethereal and old, decades draw the malt to a waxy, honeyed delicacy of sotolon, old oak and dried fruit. The cool Speyside air gave a slow, even maturation in the Dufftown warehouses. It was built in 1894 by the Convalmore-Glenlivet Distillery Company, the fourth of Dufftown's famous seven stills. Convalmore was an old fashioned, full bodied Speysider, firm and fruity. With Convalmore long shut, every bottle draws on a finite, dwindling stock.

At 43% it is smooth and fruity. Orchard fruit, wax and a gentle spice, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is oily and firm, the fruit carried on a malty body. Apple, honey and a malty oak see out the finish. This is a waxy, malty Speyside single malt.