Glenburgie 16 Years Old 1998 Cask #5002 / 5005 (Ian Macleod)

A 16 year old Glenburgie from Ian Macleod, distilled in 1998, from cask 5002 / 5005, at 46%, one of 1025 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, owned by Chivas Brothers and one of the larger Speyside distilleries. Its water is drawn from a local spring near the distillery. The old distillery was demolished and rebuilt in 2004, only the little stone office left standing. It was rebuilt in 1881 by Charles Chree Doig, the architect behind so many Speyside stillhouses.

Run slowly off the spirit still, for a light body with a gentle, waxy edge. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak lending vanilla and a light honey. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the apple and pear turning to a waxy honey and soft tropical fruit. A soft waxiness from the spirit carries a thread through the maturation. Years in oak deepen the spirit to old gold, the body growing rounder and waxier with time.

At an approachable 46% it is fresh and clean. Apple, pear and a soft honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is soft and gently waxy, the light spirit shining through. Green apple, honey and a soft oak see it out. This is a Speyside single malt of real lightness.