Convalmore 22 Years Old 1977 Cask #58 (Mackillop’s Choice)

A Convalmore drawn by Mackillop's Choice, distilled in 1977, from cask 58, bottled at 61.7%. Convalmore, the fourth of Dufftown's seven stills, was a robust, old fashioned Speysider. It was built in 1894 by the Convalmore-Glenlivet Distillery Company, the fourth of Dufftown's famous seven stills.

This was drawn off the four pot stills of its later years, to build a robust, fruity Speyside character. Decades in ex-Bourbon oak rounded the firm spirit, honey over a waxy malt. Oxidative, evaporative ageing turns the malt deep and waxy, ethereal esters and a faint sotolon (maple). Convalmore was an old fashioned, full bodied Speysider, firm and fruity. The pot stills gave a firm, oily spirit that ages slowly and with grace. It passed to DCL and Scottish Malt Distillers in the 1920s and was modernised, gaining steam heating and four stills. Closed in 1985, its profile is fixed for good, though a revival is now planned.

At its natural 61.7% it is concentrated. Waxy fruit, malt and a sweet spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is robust and fruity, the full bodied spirit shining through. A long, fruity finish carries a waxy weight. This is a finite single malt from the lost Convalmore distillery.