Glenburgie 15 Years Old 2010 Cask #118 (The Caskhound)

The Caskhound bottled this Glenburgie, a 15 year old, distilled in 2010, from cask 118, at 56.2%, one of 281 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, owned by Chivas Brothers and one of the larger Speyside distilleries. It has been a core malt of the Ballantine's blend since Hiram Walker bought it in 1936.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, shaping a fine, clean malt with a floral lift. It was matured in a Moscatel cask, the wood working into the fruity malt. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a gentle, drying grip across the fruit. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit. Years in oak deepen the spirit to old gold, the body growing rounder and waxier with time. A soft waxiness from the spirit carries a thread through the maturation.

At a hearty 56.2% it carries real weight. Pear, honey and a creamy oak, with a grapey, floral sweetness from the cask. Pear, grass and a creamy oak fill the middle. The finish is light, fruity and clean. This is Glenburgie's bright, orchard led Speyside character.