Glenburgie 15 Years Old 2007 (SMWS 71.99)

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottled this Glenburgie, a 15 year old, distilled in 2007, from cask 71.99, at 60.4%, one of 249 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, owned by Chivas Brothers and one of the larger Speyside distilleries. Most of its make goes quietly to blends; single malt Glenburgie is rare, and largely from independents. It sits near Alves in Moray, east of Forres, in the heart of Speyside. It was founded in 1810 as Kilnflat by William Paul, taking the Glenburgie name in 1878.

The spirit was distilled from unpeated malt, shaping a fine, clean malt with a floral lift. Maturation came in a Pedro Ximenez cask, layered over the fresh Glenburgie make. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the apple and pear turning to a waxy honey and soft tropical fruit. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit.

At 60.4%, undiluted, it is rich and waxy. Green apple, citrus and a waxy note, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The body is light and clean, the fruit lifted by a soft oak. The finish is light, fruity and clean. This is a light, fruity Speyside single malt.