Glenburgie 21 Years Old 1995 Cask #6502 (Signatory)

Chosen by Signatory Vintage, the Edinburgh house that bottles at Edradour above Pitlochry, this a 21 year old Glenburgie, distilled in 1995, from cask 6502, at 55.5%, bottled for a whisky festival. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt from near Alves, founded in 1810 as Kilnflat. It has been a core malt of the Ballantine's blend since Hiram Walker bought it in 1936. It was expanded to six stills after the rebuild, one of the bigger distilleries in the group.

It was distilled in tall onion shaped pot stills, building a light malt of orchard fruit and fresh grass. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak gentle behind the spirit. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a gentle, drying grip across the fruit. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool Speyside warehouses. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards beeswax, tropical fruit and a gentle spice.

At a natural 55.5% it is full and waxy. A soft, orchard led sweetness with a floral lift, over a gentle, creamy oak. Pear, grass and a creamy oak fill the middle. The finish is rounded, fruity and clean. This is a fruity Speyside malt rarely seen on its own.