Glenburgie 19 Years Old 1998 Cask #5007/5008 (Ian Macleod)

A 19 year old Glenburgie from Ian Macleod, distilled in 1998, from cask 5007/5008, at 46%, one of 371 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, a blending malt rarely seen on its own and largely the work of independents. It was expanded to six stills after the rebuild, one of the bigger distilleries in the group. It was founded in 1810 as Kilnflat by William Paul, taking the Glenburgie name in 1878. It was rebuilt in 1881 by Charles Chree Doig, the architect behind so many Speyside stillhouses.

It was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a light body with a gentle, waxy edge. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak lending vanilla and a light honey. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the apple and pear turning to a waxy honey and soft tropical fruit. The spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a soft beeswax. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool Speyside warehouses.

At 46% it is smooth and fruity. A delicate, soft malt with a waxy edge, lifted by a soft oak. Soft apple and a waxy honey sit behind the cask. Green apple, honey and a soft oak see it out. This is a light, fruity Speyside single malt.