Glenburgie 23 Years Old 1992

This Glenburgie comes from Cadenhead, Scotland's oldest independent bottler, Aberdeen born in 1842 and now in Campbeltown, a 23 year old, distilled in 1992, at 54.7%, one of 456 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, a blending malt rarely seen on its own and largely the work of independents. Its make has long fed big blends like Old Smuggler down the decades. It was founded in 1810 as Kilnflat by William Paul, taking the Glenburgie name in 1878.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a light body with a gentle, waxy edge. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin and a soft coconut under the malt. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer tropical fruit over a candle wax depth. A soft waxiness from the spirit carries a thread through the maturation. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit.

At 54.7%, undiluted, it is rich and waxy. Green apple, citrus and a waxy note, with a gentle oak sweetness. A green apple and a gentle citrus lift the middle. The finish runs delicate, fruity and waxy. This is a fresh, fruity Speyside single malt.