Glenburgie 31 Years Old 1990 Cask #12524

A Glenburgie of a 31 year old chosen by Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1990, from cask 12524, at 52.9%, one of 482 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, a blending malt rarely seen on its own and largely the work of independents. The old distillery was demolished and rebuilt in 2004, only the little stone office left standing. It was expanded to six stills after the rebuild, one of the bigger distilleries in the group. It was founded in 1810 as Kilnflat by William Paul, taking the Glenburgie name in 1878.

The spirit was distilled from unpeated malt, shaping a fine, clean malt with a floral lift. It was matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood working into the fruity malt. In its ethereal years the malt turns waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a whisper of sotolon. A soft waxiness from the spirit carries a thread through the maturation. Built for the blender's art, the make ages with quiet grace as a single malt.

At a hearty 52.9% it carries real weight. Apple, pear and a soft honey, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is light, a faint waxiness carrying the fruit. The finish is light, fruity and clean. This is a light, fruity Speyside single malt.