Glenburgie 48 Years Old 1966 (G&M)

This Glenburgie comes from Gordon and MacPhail, the Elgin grocer laying down casks on South Street since 1895, a 48 year old, distilled in 1966, at 43%. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, long the fruity heart of the Ballantine's blend. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, for a light body with a gentle, waxy edge. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak gentle behind the spirit. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending honey and dried fig as beeswax and a waxy note linger. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards beeswax, tropical fruit and a gentle spice. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Built for the blender's art, the make ages with quiet grace as a single malt.

At 43% it is bright, waxy and soft. A delicate, soft malt with a waxy edge, lifted by a soft oak. The mouthfeel is light, a faint waxiness carrying the fruit. A fresh finish closes on apple and a soft oak. This is a fresh, fruity Speyside single malt.