Convalmore Diageo Special Releases 2005 28 Years Old 1977

An official release of Convalmore, a 28 year old, from 1977, at 57.9%, 3900 bottles in all. Convalmore, founded in 1894 and named for the Conval Hills, closed in 1985. It was built in 1894 by the Convalmore-Glenlivet Distillery Company, the fourth of Dufftown's famous seven stills.

The spirit was run through the distillery's pot stills at Dufftown, for a waxy, fruity make of real depth. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the waxy character to the fore. Through the evaporative decades the spirit concentrates, esters folding into dried fruit, wax and a warm spice. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the waxy malt. Most Convalmore went quietly into blends, a little surviving as single malt. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards dried fruit, wax and a warm spice. The robust spirit was built for the blender's art, waxy and full. With Convalmore long shut, every bottle draws on a finite, dwindling stock.

At a natural 57.9% it is full and oily. Apple, honey and a waxy malt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is firm and oily, the fruit lifted by a waxy malt. A long, fruity finish carries a waxy weight. This is a rare Speyside single malt from a closed distillery.