Glenburgie 16 Years Old 1995 Cask #DL 8005 (Douglas Laing)

Chosen by Douglas Laing, the Glasgow family bottler, this a 16 year old Glenburgie, distilled in 1995, from cask DL 8005, at 50%, one of 304 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt from near Alves, founded in 1810 as Kilnflat. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a soft, fruity spirit with a waxy thread. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters of apple and a light tropical note over a waxy depth. Years in oak deepen the spirit to old gold, the body growing rounder and waxier with time. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit. 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.

At 50%, undiluted, it is rich and waxy. Apple, pear and a soft honey, with a gentle oak sweetness. It is soft and gently waxy, the light spirit shining through. A long, fruity finish carries a waxy honey. This is Glenburgie's bright, orchard led Speyside character.