Convalmore 15 Years Old 1984 Chieftain’s Choice (Ian Macleod)

A Convalmore drawn by the independent Ian Macleod, distilled in 1984, bottled at 43%. Convalmore, a lost Speyside distillery by the River Fiddich, fell silent in 1985. Only a couple of official bottlings exist, from Diageo's Rare Malts and Special Releases.

The spirit was worked through the pot stills for a waxy, malty make, building the old fashioned Convalmore style. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the waxy character to the fore. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and pear) and a waxy honey. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the waxy malt. Most Convalmore went quietly into blends, a little surviving as single malt. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to dried fruit and honey. Maturation in the cool north east kept the spirit fresh across the long years. Closed in 1985, its profile is fixed for good, though a revival is now planned.

At 43% it is supple and waxy. Malt, dried fruit and a sweet spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is oily and firm, the fruit carried on a malty body. A long, fruity finish carries a waxy weight. This is a waxy, malty Speyside single malt.