Glenburgie 45 Years Old 1975 Cask #6011 (BB&R)

Berry Bros and Rudd bottled this Glenburgie, a 45 year old, distilled in 1975, from cask 6011, at 44.1%, one of 136 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.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, building a light malt of orchard fruit and fresh grass. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak lending vanilla and a light honey. Ethereal and fragile, the decades draw it to a honeyed, waxy delicacy of tropical fruit and old oak. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. A soft waxiness from the spirit carries a thread through the maturation. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit.

At a natural 44.1% it is full and waxy. A soft, orchard led sweetness with a floral lift, with a gentle oak sweetness. The body is light and clean, the fruit lifted by a soft oak. Green apple, honey and a soft oak see it out. This is a fruity Speyside malt rarely seen on its own.