Glenburgie 27 Years Old 1994 Cask #10072

Gordon and MacPhail bottled this Glenburgie, a 27 year old, distilled in 1994, from cask 10072, at 54.5%, one of 246 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, owned by Chivas Brothers and one of the larger Speyside distilleries. Its make has long fed big blends like Old Smuggler down the decades.

The spirit was distilled in tall onion shaped pot stills, building a light malt of orchard fruit and fresh grass. An Oloroso cask held it, drawing the light spirit on over the years. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer tropical fruit over a candle wax depth. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Built for the blender's art, the make ages with quiet grace as a single malt. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit.

Bottled at a cask strength 54.5%, it is concentrated. Apple, pear and fresh cut grass, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run baked apple, a light citrus and a soft honey. The finish is rounded, fruity and clean. This is Glenburgie's bright, orchard led Speyside character.