Convalmore 21 Years Old 1977 (Authentic Collection)

A 21 year old Convalmore, this distilled in 1977 from Scotland's oldest independent bottler Cadenhead's, bottled at 64.4%, one of 594 bottles. Convalmore is a ghost of Dufftown, its buildings now warehouses for William Grant and Sons. It closed in 1985 in the whisky slump, and the stills were later removed.

The spirit was drawn off the four pot stills of its later years, to build a robust, fruity Speyside character. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft spice over the malty spirit. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, fruit turning to dried fruit over a waxy, malty body. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to dried fruit and honey. James Buchanan owned it from 1906, using the malt at the heart of his Black and White blend. Refill oak lets the robust Convalmore character lead, malt and orchard fruit beneath. It was built in 1894 by the Convalmore-Glenlivet Distillery Company, the fourth of Dufftown's famous seven stills. No more will ever be made, the distillery silent since 1985.

At 64.4%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Baked apple, honey and a waxy depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A dried fruit and a malty depth give it weight. It finishes robust, fruity and warm. This is a waxy, fruity Speyside single malt of real age.