Glenburgie 16 Years Old 2008 Cask #17602305

Gordon and MacPhail, the Elgin grocer laying down casks on South Street since 1895, bottled this Glenburgie, distilled in 2008, from cask 17602305, at 57.5%, one of 335 bottles. Glenburgie is a fragrant Speyside malt, a core flavour of Ballantine's for decades. The old distillery was demolished and rebuilt in 2004, only the little stone office left standing. It was expanded to six stills after the rebuild, one of the bigger distilleries in the group. Its make has long fed big blends like Old Smuggler down the decades.

Distilled in tall onion shaped pot stills, giving a fragrant, orchard led Speyside spirit. Maturation came in an Oloroso cask, layered over the fresh Glenburgie make. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the apple and pear turning to a waxy honey and soft tropical fruit. Built for the blender's art, the make ages with quiet grace as a single malt.

At a natural 57.5% it is full and waxy. Baked apple, grass and a light honey, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is light, a faint waxiness carrying the fruit. A fresh finish closes on apple and a soft oak. This is Glenburgie's bright, orchard led Speyside character.