Glenburgie 30 Years Old 1995 Cask #205 (Signatory)

A 30 year old Glenburgie from Signatory Vintage, distilled in 1995, from cask 205, at 49%, one of 336 bottles. Glenburgie is a clean, fruity Speyside malt, light and fresh in the glass. Its make has long fed big blends like Old Smuggler down the decades. Most of its make goes quietly to blends; single malt Glenburgie is rare, and largely from independents.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, for the light, fruity make the Ballantine's blenders prized. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending a creamy vanilla. In its ethereal years the malt turns waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a whisper of sotolon. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit. A soft waxiness from the spirit carries a thread through the maturation. 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.

Bottled at a cask strength 49%, it is concentrated. Baked apple, grass and a light honey, lifted by a soft oak. A light orchard fruit and a soft spice give it shape. It finishes light, fresh and faintly waxy. This is a light, fruity Speyside single malt.