Glenburgie 21 Years Old 1995 Cask #6332 (Samaroli)

Samaroli, the pioneering Italian bottler founded by Silvano Samaroli, bottled this Glenburgie, distilled in 1995, from cask 6332, at 45%, one of 370 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, a blending malt rarely seen on its own and largely the work of independents. It was expanded to six stills after the rebuild, one of the bigger distilleries in the group.

The spirit was run slowly off the spirit still, for the light, fruity make the Ballantine's blenders prized. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin and a soft coconut under the malt. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the apple and pear turning to a waxy honey and soft tropical fruit. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool Speyside warehouses. Years in oak deepen the spirit to old gold, the body growing rounder and waxier with time. A soft waxiness from the spirit carries a thread through the maturation.

Reduced to 45%, it is mellow and fragrant. A delicate, soft malt with a waxy edge, lifted by a soft oak. 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.