Glenburgie 10 Years Old 2011 (Cadenhead’s)

Chosen by Cadenhead, Scotland's oldest independent bottler, Aberdeen born in 1842 and now in Campbeltown, this a 10 year old Glenburgie, distilled in 2011, at 56.6%, one of 252 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt made near Alves in Moray, east of Forres. It was founded in 1810 as Kilnflat by William Paul, taking the Glenburgie name in 1878. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005. It was expanded to six stills after the rebuild, one of the bigger distilleries in the group.

Distilled from unpeated malt, building a light malt of orchard fruit and fresh grass. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the fresh, fruity character to the fore. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the fruity spirit growing rounder and a touch waxy. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool Speyside warehouses.

At its natural 56.6% it is full and fruity. A soft, orchard led sweetness with a floral lift, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is soft and gently waxy, the light spirit shining through. Green apple, honey and a soft oak see it out. This is a fragrant Speyside single malt of real lightness.