Convalmore 23 Years Old 1969 (Connoisseurs Choice)

From the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, a 23 year old Convalmore, distilled in 1969, bottled at 40%. Convalmore distilled a waxy, fruity, malty Speyside spirit at Dufftown before closing in 1985. With the distillery long silent, every bottle draws on a finite, dwindling stock.

It was made in copper pot stills before the distillery closed, building the old fashioned Convalmore style. 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). A long maturation suits the full bodied make, the fruit growing richer with time. The firm, fruity spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its waxy, malty core. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the waxy, fruity core over the decades. The pot stills gave a firm, oily spirit that ages slowly and with grace. No new spirit has followed it since the stills fell quiet in 1985.

At an approachable 40% it is soft and balanced. Baked apple, honey and a waxy depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is oily and firm, the fruit carried on a malty body. It finishes robust, fruity and warm. This is a rare Speyside single malt from a closed distillery.