Glenburgie 16 Years Old 2005 Cask #17600105

A Glenburgie of a 16 year old chosen by Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 2005, from cask 17600105, at 57.4%, bottled for a whisky festival. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt made near Alves in Moray, east of Forres. The old distillery was demolished and rebuilt in 2004, only the little stone office left standing. It was founded in 1810 as Kilnflat by William Paul, taking the Glenburgie name in 1878.

The spirit was run slowly off the spirit still, building a light malt of orchard fruit and fresh grass. Maturation came in an Oloroso 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. A soft waxiness from the spirit carries a thread through the maturation. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool Speyside warehouses. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At 57.4%, undiluted, it is rich and waxy. Apple, pear and a soft honey, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Soft apple and a waxy honey sit behind the cask. Green apple, honey and a soft oak see it out. This is a light, fruity Speyside single malt.