Glenburgie 12 Years Old 2011 Cask #132 (Best Dram)

A Glenburgie of a 12 year old chosen by Best Dram, distilled in 2011, from cask 132, at 56.9%, one of 299 bottles. Glenburgie is a clean, fruity Speyside malt, light and fresh in the glass. Most of its make goes quietly to blends; single malt Glenburgie is rare, and largely from independents.

The spirit was drawn from a long fermentation, for the light, fruity make the Ballantine's blenders prized. A Port cask held it, drawing the light spirit on over the years. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the fruity spirit growing rounder and a touch waxy. The spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a soft beeswax. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards beeswax, tropical fruit and a gentle spice. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit.

At its natural 56.9% it is full and fruity. Apple, pear and a soft honey, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. Beneath it run baked apple, a light citrus and a soft honey. Green apple, honey and a soft oak see it out. This is a fresh, fruity Speyside single malt.