Glenburgie 14 Years Old 2008 (Hart Brothers)

Hart Brothers bottled this Glenburgie, a 14 year old, distilled in 2008, at 54.1%. Glenburgie is a fragrant Speyside malt, a core flavour of Ballantine's for decades. Its make has long fed big blends like Old Smuggler down the decades. It was rebuilt in 1881 by Charles Chree Doig, the architect behind so many Speyside stillhouses. Most of its make goes quietly to blends; single malt Glenburgie is rare, and largely from independents.

It was distilled in tall onion shaped pot stills, for a soft, fruity spirit with a waxy thread. It was finished in a Port cask, the wood building on the light, fruity spirit. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the apple softening towards a waxy honey. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool Speyside warehouses. Built for the blender's art, the make ages with quiet grace as a single malt.

Bottled at a cask strength 54.1%, it is concentrated. Pear, floral notes and a soft, waxy sweetness, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. A light orchard fruit and a soft spice give it shape. The finish is light, fruity and clean. This is a light, waxy Speyside single malt.