Glenesk 12 Years Old

This official Glenesk, a 12 year old, at 40%. Glenesk was a Highland single malt known over the years under several names, among them Hillside. It was one of four malt distilleries in the Esk valley, of which only neighbouring Glencadam still runs.

It was distilled from unpeated malt, for a light, honeyed make with a cereal edge. A bourbon barrel held it, the wood adding a soft honey over the orchard fruit. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin rounding out as esters lend a riper orchard and tropical fruit. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the malt. Maturation ran slow and even in the old bonded warehouses on the coast at Montrose. With the distillery long closed, these are casks that can never be filled again. Active wood frames the malt without ever crowding the light Highland spirit.

At an approachable 40% it is fresh and clean. A clean, malty sweetness with a grassy lift, lifted by a soft oak. The body is light and gently oily, the malt lifted by a soft oak. The close is light and clean, malt over a gentle oak. This is a lost Highland single malt.