Convalmore 20 Years Old 1981 Cask #89/604/90 (Signatory)

The Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage bottled this Convalmore, a 20 year old, distilled in 1981, from cask 89/604/90, bottled at 43%, one of 462 bottles. Convalmore made a firm, fruity Speyside malt at Dufftown, almost all of it for blends. James Buchanan owned it from 1906, using the malt at the heart of his Black and White blend.

It was distilled for a firm, fruity Speyside spirit, giving a waxy, malty spirit with a sweet spice. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed vanilla. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend dried fruit while ellagitannins add a drying, structured grip. The cool Speyside air gave a slow, even maturation in the Dufftown warehouses. William Grant and Sons bought the buildings in 1990, and use them to warehouse Glenfiddich and Balvenie. Only a couple of official bottlings exist, from Diageo's Rare Malts and Special Releases. No new spirit has followed it since the stills fell quiet in 1985.

At an easy 43% it is light. Apple, honey and a waxy malt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Wax, malt and orchard fruit fill the middle. The close is firm, fruit over a waxy malt. This is a finite single malt from the lost Convalmore distillery.