Glenburgie 29 Years Old 1985 Cask #95/36/10

This Glenburgie comes from Cadenhead, Scotland's oldest independent bottler, Aberdeen born in 1842 and now in Campbeltown, a 29 year old, distilled in 1985, from cask 95/36/10, at 55.3%, one of 222 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, owned by Chivas Brothers and one of the larger Speyside distilleries. It was founded in 1810 as Kilnflat by William Paul, taking the Glenburgie name in 1878. It was rebuilt in 1881 by Charles Chree Doig, the architect behind so many Speyside stillhouses. Its make has long fed big blends like Old Smuggler down the decades.

Distilled in tall onion shaped pot stills, giving a fragrant, orchard led Speyside spirit. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin and a soft coconut under the malt. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer tropical fruit over a candle wax depth. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit.

At a hearty 55.3% it carries real weight. Pear, honey and a creamy oak, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Pear, grass and a creamy oak fill the middle. It finishes light, fresh and faintly waxy. This is a light, fruity Speyside single malt.