Glenburgie 7 Years Old 2007 Cask #DMG 10574 (Douglas McGibbon)

A 7 year old Glenburgie from Douglas McGibbon, distilled in 2007, from cask DMG 10574, at 46%. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, owned by Chivas Brothers and one of the larger Speyside distilleries. 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. It was founded in 1810 as Kilnflat by William Paul, taking the Glenburgie name in 1878.

It was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for the light, fruity make the Ballantine's blenders prized. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending a creamy vanilla. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and lactones a coconut, the spirit light, fresh and fruity. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit.

Bottled at 46%, it is light and rounded. A delicate, soft malt with a waxy edge, lifted by a soft oak. A light orchard fruit and a soft spice give it shape. A long, fruity finish carries a waxy honey. This is a fresh, fruity Speyside single malt.