Glenburgie 16 Years Old 2007 Cask #HL 21006 (Edition Spirits)

Edition Spirits bottled this Glenburgie, a 16 year old, distilled in 2007, from cask HL 21006, at 53.1%, one of 354 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt from near Alves, founded in 1810 as Kilnflat. It sits near Alves in Moray, east of Forres, in the heart of Speyside. Its make has long fed big blends like Old Smuggler down the decades. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005.

It was distilled from unpeated malt, for a light body with a gentle, waxy edge. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak lending vanilla and a light honey. 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. The spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a soft beeswax. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit.

At a natural 53.1% it is full and waxy. Green apple, citrus and a waxy note, with a gentle oak sweetness. Beneath it run baked apple, a light citrus and a soft honey. A long, fruity finish carries a waxy honey. This is the fragrant blending malt of Alves.