Glenburgie 25 Years Old 1996 Cask #5806

A 25 year old Glenburgie from Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1996, from cask 5806, at 55.6%, one of 151 bottles. Glenburgie is a light, fruity Speyside malt of orchard fruit, grass and a soft waxy thread. It sits near Alves in Moray, east of Forres, in the heart of Speyside. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005. It was founded in 1810 as Kilnflat by William Paul, taking the Glenburgie name in 1878.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, giving a fragrant, orchard led Speyside spirit. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak lending vanilla and a light honey. In the oxidative, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to tropical fruit, honey and a waxy, candle wax depth. A soft waxiness from the spirit carries a thread through the maturation. Years in oak deepen the spirit to old gold, the body growing rounder and waxier with time.

Bottled at a cask strength 55.6%, it is concentrated. Apple, pear and fresh cut grass, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft apple and a waxy honey sit behind the cask. The finish runs delicate, fruity and waxy. This is a light, fruity Speyside single malt.