Glenburgie 25 Years Old

Chosen by Gordon and MacPhail, the Elgin grocer laying down casks on South Street since 1895, this a 25 year old Glenburgie, at 46%. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt made near Alves in Moray, east of Forres. Its water is drawn from a local spring near the distillery.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, building a light malt of orchard fruit and fresh grass. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. In the oxidative, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to tropical fruit, honey and a waxy, candle wax depth. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool Speyside warehouses. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit. The spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a soft beeswax. A soft waxiness from the spirit carries a thread through the maturation. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit.

Bottled at 46%, it is light and rounded. A soft, orchard led sweetness with a floral lift, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A light orchard fruit and a soft spice give it shape. The finish is light, fruity and clean. This is a light, fruity Speyside single malt.