Glenburgie 18 Years Old

A distillery release of Glenburgie, an 18 year old, at 40%. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt made near Alves in Moray, east of Forres. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005. It was rebuilt in 1881 by Charles Chree Doig, the architect behind so many Speyside stillhouses. The old distillery was demolished and rebuilt in 2004, only the little stone office left standing. Most of its make goes quietly to blends; single malt Glenburgie is rare, and largely from independents. It was expanded to six stills after the rebuild, one of the bigger distilleries in the group.

It was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, giving a fragrant, orchard led Speyside spirit. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending a creamy vanilla. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters of apple and a light tropical note over a waxy depth. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit.

Reduced to 40%, it is mellow and fragrant. Apple, pear and a soft honey, over a gentle, creamy oak. It is soft and gently waxy, the light spirit shining through. The finish is light, fruity and clean. This is a fresh, fruity Speyside single malt.