Glenburgie 21 Years Old 1998 Cask #900887 (Elixir)

A Glenburgie of a 21 year old chosen by Elixir Distillers, distilled in 1998, from cask 900887, at 59.4%, one of 298 bottles. Glenburgie is a fragrant Speyside malt, a core flavour of Ballantine's for decades. The old distillery was demolished and rebuilt in 2004, only the little stone office left standing. Most of its make goes quietly to blends; single malt Glenburgie is rare, and largely from independents. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005. It was expanded to six stills after the rebuild, one of the bigger distilleries in the group.

It was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, building a light malt of orchard fruit and fresh grass. A bourbon barrel held it, the wood adding a soft honey over the orchard fruit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters of apple and a light tropical note over a waxy depth. Built for the blender's art, the make ages with quiet grace as a single malt.

At its natural 59.4% it is full and fruity. A delicate, soft malt with a waxy edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A green apple and a gentle citrus lift the middle. It finishes light, fresh and faintly waxy. This is a light, waxy Speyside single malt.