Convalmore 40 Years Old 1975 Cask #RO/16/01 (G&M)

The Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail bottled this Convalmore, a 40 year old, distilled in 1975, from cask RO/16/01, bottled at 46%, one of 176 bottles. Convalmore was a Dufftown distillery whose waxy, fruity malt went into Buchanan's and Black and White. It closed in 1985 in the whisky slump, and the stills were later removed.

The spirit was distilled for a firm, fruity Speyside spirit, giving a waxy, malty spirit with a sweet spice. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Ethereal and old, decades draw the malt to a waxy, honeyed delicacy of sotolon, old oak and dried fruit. The firm, fruity spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its waxy, malty core. Diageo retains the rights to the Convalmore name, and the few official bottlings come from its vaults. Convalmore was an old fashioned, full bodied Speysider, firm and fruity. Closed in 1985, its profile is fixed for good, though a revival is now planned.

Bottled at 46%, it is rounded. Apple, honey and a waxy malt, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is oily and firm, the fruit carried on a malty body. The close is firm, fruit over a waxy malt. This is a finite single malt from the lost Convalmore distillery.