Glenburgie 13 Years Old 2008 (Hart Brothers)

Hart Brothers bottled this Glenburgie, a 13 year old, distilled in 2008, at 54.2%. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, a blending malt rarely seen on its own and largely the work of independents. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005. Its make has long fed big blends like Old Smuggler down the decades. It was expanded to six stills after the rebuild, one of the bigger distilleries in the group.

It was distilled in tall onion shaped pot stills, for the light, fruity make the Ballantine's blenders prized. It was finished in a Port cask, the wood building on the light, fruity spirit. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the apple softening towards a waxy honey. The spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a soft beeswax. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit.

At its natural 54.2% it is full and fruity. A delicate, soft malt with a waxy edge, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. It is soft and gently waxy, the light spirit shining through. The finish is light, fruity and clean. This is Glenburgie's bright, orchard led Speyside character.