Glenburgie 21 Years Old (Brühler Whiskyhaus)

Brühler Whiskyhaus bottled this Glenburgie, a 21 year old, at 52.7%, one of 259 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt from near Alves, founded in 1810 as Kilnflat. 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.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, giving a fragrant, orchard led Speyside spirit. 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. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool Speyside warehouses. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards beeswax, tropical fruit and a gentle spice. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

Bottled at a cask strength 52.7%, it is concentrated. Green apple, citrus and a waxy note, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run baked apple, a light citrus and a soft honey. A long, fruity finish carries a waxy honey. This is the fragrant blending malt of Alves.