Glenburgie 11 Years Old 1983 (SMWS 71.10)

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottled this Glenburgie, an 11 year old, distilled in 1983, from cask 71.10, at 56.7%. Glenburgie is a fragrant Speyside malt, a core flavour of Ballantine's for decades. 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. Most of its make goes quietly to blends; single malt Glenburgie is rare, and largely from independents.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, giving a fragrant, orchard led Speyside spirit. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending a creamy vanilla. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the fruity spirit growing rounder and a touch waxy. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Years in oak deepen the spirit to old gold, the body growing rounder and waxier with time.

At its natural 56.7% it is full and fruity. Apple, pear and a soft honey, with a gentle oak sweetness. Beneath it run baked apple, a light citrus and a soft honey. A fresh finish closes on apple and a soft oak. This is a Speyside single malt of real lightness.