Convalmore 45 Years Old 1975 Cask #2563 (Private Collection)

From the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, a 45 year old Convalmore, distilled in 1975, from cask 2563, bottled at 47.9%, one of 146 bottles. Convalmore was built in 1894 by the Convalmore-Glenlivet Distillery Company, one of the seven stills of Dufftown. James Buchanan owned it from 1906, using the malt at the heart of his Black and White blend.

It was distilled in copper pot stills on Conval Hills spring water, building the old fashioned Convalmore style. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, vanilla and honey behind the waxy, malty spirit. Ethereal and old, decades draw the malt to a waxy, honeyed delicacy of sotolon, old oak and dried fruit. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the waxy malt. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards dried fruit, wax and a warm spice. Only a couple of official bottlings exist, from Diageo's Rare Malts and Special Releases. Closed in 1985, its profile is fixed for good, though a revival is now planned.

At a natural 47.9% it is full and oily. Orchard fruit, wax and a gentle spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Wax, malt and orchard fruit fill the middle. A long, fruity finish carries a waxy weight. This is a waxy, malty Speyside single malt.