Glenburgie 10 Years Old 2009

Hunter Laing, the Glasgow bottler of the Laing family, bottled this Glenburgie, distilled in 2009, at 46%, one of 297 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, long the fruity heart of the Ballantine's blend. The old distillery was demolished and rebuilt in 2004, only the little stone office left standing. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005.

The spirit was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, building a light malt of orchard fruit and fresh grass. It was finished in a Rum cask, the wood building on the light, fruity spirit. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the fruity spirit growing rounder and a touch waxy. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards beeswax, tropical fruit and a gentle spice.

Bottled at 46%, it is light and rounded. A delicate, soft malt with a waxy edge, with a soft molasses and a tropical sweetness from the cask. Beneath it run baked apple, a light citrus and a soft honey. A fresh finish closes on apple and a soft oak. This is Glenburgie's bright, orchard led Speyside character.