Glenesk 20 Years Old 1981 Cask #0571 (Jack Wiebers Whisky World)

This Glenesk was bottled by Jack Wiebers Whisky World, a 20 year old, distilled in 1981, from cask 0571, at 54.3%, bottled for a whisky festival. Glenesk was a Highland single malt, most of it long destined for the blending vats. Much of its make went to blends, above all William Sanderson's Vat 69. It was founded in 1897, when a flax mill at Montrose was first turned to distilling. It was one of four malt distilleries in the Esk valley, of which only neighbouring Glencadam still runs.

The spirit was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, for a light, honeyed make with a cereal edge. It was matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood working into the fruity malt. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds tropical esters of mango and pineapple over a creamy depth. First fill wood drove the maturation, the cask clear in the light spirit. The light, malty spirit deepened with time, the cask drawing out a soft honey.

Bottled at a cask strength 54.3%, it is concentrated. Pear, barley and a soft oak, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is light and waxy, carrying the malt. A medium finish carries a soft honey. This is the quiet, malty malt of Montrose.