Glenburgie 20 Years Old 1995 Cask #6489 (van Wees)

A 20 year old Glenburgie from van Wees, distilled in 1995, from cask 6489, at 46%, one of 302 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, a blending malt rarely seen on its own and largely the work of independents. The old distillery was demolished and rebuilt in 2004, only the little stone office left standing. It was expanded to six stills after the rebuild, one of the bigger distilleries in the group. It sits near Alves in Moray, east of Forres, in the heart of Speyside. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005.

The spirit was distilled in tall onion shaped pot stills, giving a fragrant, orchard led Speyside spirit. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters of apple and a light tropical note over a waxy depth. The spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a soft beeswax.

Bottled at 46%, it is light and rounded. Green apple, citrus and a waxy note, over a gentle, creamy oak. Beneath it run baked apple, a light citrus and a soft honey. A long, fruity finish carries a waxy honey. This is a light, fruity Speyside single malt.