Glenburgie 18 Years Old 1997 Cask #DL 10873

A Glenburgie of an 18 year old chosen by Douglas Laing, distilled in 1997, from cask DL 10873, at 48.4%, one of 744 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. Its make has long fed big blends like Old Smuggler down the decades.

It was distilled from unpeated malt, building a light malt of orchard fruit and fresh grass. It was matured in an Oloroso 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. 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. Built for the blender's art, the make ages with quiet grace as a single malt.

At its natural 48.4% it is full and fruity. A delicate, soft malt with a waxy edge, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Pear, grass and a creamy oak fill the middle. A long, fruity finish carries a waxy honey. This is Glenburgie's bright, orchard led Speyside character.