Glenburgie 24 Years Old 1997 (Sansibar)

A 24 year old Glenburgie from Sansibar, distilled in 1997, at 57.6%, one of 222 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, long the fruity heart of the Ballantine's blend. It was founded in 1810 as Kilnflat by William Paul, taking the Glenburgie name in 1878. It was expanded to six stills after the rebuild, one of the bigger distilleries in the group.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, giving a fragrant, orchard led Speyside spirit. An Oloroso cask held it, drawing the light spirit on over the years. In the oxidative, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to tropical fruit, honey and a waxy, candle wax depth. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit. Built for the blender's art, the make ages with quiet grace as a single malt. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool Speyside warehouses.

At its natural 57.6% it is full and fruity. Baked apple, grass and a light honey, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The body is light and clean, the fruit lifted by a soft oak. A fresh finish closes on apple and a soft oak. This is a fruity Speyside malt rarely seen on its own.