Glenburgie 25 Years Old 1995 Cask #6714 (LMDW)

A 25 year old Glenburgie from La Maison du Whisky, distilled in 1995, from cask 6714, at 54.7%, one of 194 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt made near Alves in Moray, east of Forres. Its make has long fed big blends like Old Smuggler down the decades. Its water is drawn from a local spring near the distillery. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005.

The spirit was run slowly off the spirit still, for a soft, fruity spirit with a waxy thread. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak lending vanilla and a light honey. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer tropical fruit over a candle wax depth. The spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a soft beeswax. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool Speyside warehouses. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit.

At a hearty 54.7% it carries real weight. Pear, honey and a creamy oak, with a gentle oak sweetness. Soft apple and a waxy honey sit behind the cask. The finish is rounded, fruity and clean. This is a Speyside single malt of real lightness.