Glenburgie 12 Years Old 1984 Cask #2034, 2035 (G&M)

Gordon and MacPhail, the Elgin grocer laying down casks on South Street since 1895, bottled this Glenburgie, distilled in 1984, from cask 2034, 2035, at 62.3%. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, owned by Chivas Brothers and one of the larger Speyside distilleries. It has been a core malt of the Ballantine's blend since Hiram Walker bought it in 1936. Its water is drawn from a local spring near the distillery. Most of its make goes quietly to blends; single malt Glenburgie is rare, and largely from independents.

It was drawn from a long fermentation, giving a fragrant, orchard led Speyside spirit. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin and a soft coconut under the malt. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin rounding out as esters lend a riper apple, pear and a soft honey. Years in oak deepen the spirit to old gold, the body growing rounder and waxier with time. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit.

At 62.3%, undiluted, it is rich and waxy. A delicate, soft malt with a waxy edge, with a gentle oak sweetness. The body is light and clean, the fruit lifted by a soft oak. The finish runs delicate, fruity and waxy. This is the fragrant blending malt of Alves.