Glenburgie 28 Years Old 1994 Cask #10080 (France Exclusive)

Chosen by Gordon and MacPhail, the Elgin grocer laying down casks on South Street since 1895, this a 28 year old Glenburgie, distilled in 1994, from cask 10080, at 52.3%, one of 167 bottles. Glenburgie is a light, fruity Speyside malt of orchard fruit, grass and a soft waxy thread. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, building a light malt of orchard fruit and fresh grass. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the fresh, fruity character to the fore. Through the evaporative decades the esters fold into mango, beeswax and a waxy honey. A soft waxiness from the spirit carries a thread through the maturation. Maturation runs slow and even in the cool Speyside warehouses. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards beeswax, tropical fruit and a gentle spice. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit.

At 52.3%, undiluted, it is rich and waxy. Baked apple, grass and a light honey, lifted by a soft oak. Soft apple and a waxy honey sit behind the cask. It finishes light, fresh and faintly waxy. This is a fragrant Speyside single malt of real lightness.