Glenburgie 23 Years Old 2000 Cask #3644

Gordon and MacPhail, the Elgin grocer laying down casks on South Street since 1895, bottled this Glenburgie, distilled in 2000, from cask 3644, at 58.7%, one of 487 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, owned by Chivas Brothers and one of the larger Speyside distilleries. Most of its make goes quietly to blends; single malt Glenburgie is rare, and largely from independents.

It was distilled in tall onion shaped pot stills, for a light body with a gentle, waxy edge. It was finished in an Oloroso cask, the wood building on the light, fruity spirit. In the oxidative, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to tropical fruit, honey and a waxy, candle wax depth. Years in oak deepen the spirit to old gold, the body growing rounder and waxier with time. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At a natural 58.7% it is full and waxy. Pear, floral notes and a soft, waxy sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Soft apple and a waxy honey sit behind the cask. The finish is light, fruity and clean. This is a fresh, fruity Speyside single malt.