Glenburgie 14 Years Old 2008 Cask #17602306

This Glenburgie was bottled by Gordon and MacPhail, a 14 year old, distilled in 2008, from cask 17602306, at 57.4%, one of 318 bottles. Glenburgie is a light, fruity Speyside malt of orchard fruit, grass and a soft waxy thread. 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.

It was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a light body with a gentle, waxy edge. It was matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood working into the fruity malt. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the apple softening towards a waxy honey. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool Speyside warehouses. The spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a soft beeswax.

Bottled at a cask strength 57.4%, it is concentrated. Pear, honey and a creamy oak, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Soft apple and a waxy honey sit behind the cask. A fresh finish closes on apple and a soft oak. This is a fresh, fruity Speyside single malt.