Glenburgie 30 Years Old 1995 Cask #203 (Signatory)

A Glenburgie of a 30 year old chosen by Signatory Vintage, distilled in 1995, from cask 203, at 48.5%, one of 347 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, long the fruity heart of the Ballantine's blend. Most of its make goes quietly to blends; single malt Glenburgie is rare, and largely from independents. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005.

Distilled in tall onion shaped pot stills, giving a fragrant, orchard led Speyside spirit. It was finished in a Pedro Ximenez cask, the wood building on the light, fruity spirit. Ethereal and fragile, the decades draw it to a honeyed, waxy delicacy of tropical fruit and old oak. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards beeswax, tropical fruit and a gentle spice. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit. Years in oak deepen the spirit to old gold, the body growing rounder and waxier with time.

At a hearty 48.5% it carries real weight. Baked apple, grass and a light honey, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. A light orchard fruit and a soft spice give it shape. The finish runs delicate, fruity and waxy. This is a light, waxy Speyside single malt.