Glenburgie 20 Years Old 1968 (Sestante)

Sestante bottled this Glenburgie, a 20 year old, distilled in 1968, at 40%. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, owned by Chivas Brothers and one of the larger Speyside distilleries. It was expanded to six stills after the rebuild, one of the bigger distilleries in the group. Its water is drawn from a local spring near the distillery. Its make has long fed big blends like Old Smuggler down the decades.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, shaping a fine, clean malt with a floral lift. It was finished in an Oloroso cask, the wood building on the light, fruity spirit. 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. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards beeswax, tropical fruit and a gentle spice.

Bottled at 40%, it is light and rounded. 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. The finish runs delicate, fruity and waxy. This is a fruity Speyside malt rarely seen on its own.