Convalmore 40 Years Old 1982 Cask #155 (Private Collection)

The Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail bottled this Convalmore, a 40 year old, distilled in 1982, from cask 155, bottled at 55.5%, one of 104 bottles. Convalmore, founded in 1894 and named for the Conval Hills, closed in 1985. Only a couple of official bottlings exist, from Diageo's Rare Malts and Special Releases.

The spirit was drawn off the four pot stills of its later years, for the firm, fruity make Convalmore was known for. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla beneath the waxy, full bodied spirit. Ethereal and old, decades draw the malt to a waxy, honeyed delicacy of sotolon, old oak and dried fruit. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards dried fruit, wax and a warm spice. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the waxy, fruity core over the decades. Convalmore was an old fashioned, full bodied Speysider, firm and fruity. The firm, fruity spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its waxy, malty core. Closed in 1985, its profile is fixed for good, though a revival is now planned.

At a natural 55.5% it is full and oily. Apple, honey and a waxy malt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked apple and a warm spice lift it. Apple, honey and a malty oak see out the finish. This is the robust, fruity ghost of Convalmore.