Convalmore 25 Years Old 1969 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A Convalmore drawn by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1969, bottled at 40%. Convalmore is a ghost of Dufftown, its buildings now warehouses for William Grant and Sons. Diageo retains the rights to the Convalmore name, and the few official bottlings come from its vaults.

The spirit was distilled for a firm, fruity Speyside spirit, building the old fashioned Convalmore style. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the robust malt. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds a richer, waxy fruit. 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. William Grant and Sons bought the buildings in 1990, and use them to warehouse Glenfiddich and Balvenie. No more will ever be made, the distillery silent since 1985.

Reduced to 40%, it is mellow. Baked apple, honey and a waxy depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is robust and fruity, the full bodied spirit shining through. A firm, malty finish ends on apple and a sweet spice. This is Convalmore, a lost still of Dufftown.