Glenburgie 14 Years Old 2007 (SMWS 71.82)

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottled this Glenburgie, a 14 year old, distilled in 2007, from cask 71.82, at 58.8%, one of 220 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, a blending malt rarely seen on its own and largely the work of independents. It was rebuilt in 1881 by Charles Chree Doig, the architect behind so many Speyside stillhouses. It sits near Alves in Moray, east of Forres, in the heart of Speyside. The old distillery was demolished and rebuilt in 2004, only the little stone office left standing.

Distilled from unpeated malt, building a light malt of orchard fruit and fresh grass. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the apple softening towards a waxy honey. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit.

Bottled at a cask strength 58.8%, it is concentrated. Apple, pear and a soft honey, lifted by a soft oak. It is soft and gently waxy, the light spirit shining through. The finish is light, fruity and clean. This is a fresh, fruity Speyside single malt.