Glenburgie 9 Years Old 2010 Finest (Hart Brothers)

A Glenburgie of a 9 year old chosen by Hart Brothers, distilled in 2010, at 46%. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt from near Alves, founded in 1810 as Kilnflat. It has been a core malt of the Ballantine's blend since Hiram Walker bought it in 1936. 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.

The spirit was drawn from a long fermentation, for a light body with a gentle, waxy edge. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the fresh, fruity character to the fore. In these extractive early years the oak gives vanillin as vanilla and lactones as coconut over apple, pear and fresh grass. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool Speyside warehouses. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit.

At 46% it is bright, waxy and soft. Pear, floral notes and a soft, waxy sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A light orchard fruit and a soft spice give it shape. It finishes light, fresh and faintly waxy. This is a light, waxy Speyside single malt.