Glenburgie 9 Years Old 2012 (Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers)

A 9 year old Glenburgie from Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, distilled in 2012, at 47.5%, one of 800 bottles. Glenburgie is a clean, fruity Speyside malt, light and fresh in the glass. It was expanded to six stills after the rebuild, one of the bigger distilleries in the group. It was rebuilt in 1881 by Charles Chree Doig, the architect behind so many Speyside stillhouses. It sits near Alves in Moray, east of Forres, in the heart of Speyside. Its water is drawn from a local spring near the distillery.

Run slowly off the spirit still, building a light malt of orchard fruit and fresh grass. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak lending vanilla and a light honey. 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.

At 47.5%, undiluted, it is rich and waxy. A soft, orchard led sweetness with a floral lift, with a gentle oak sweetness. It is soft and gently waxy, the light spirit shining through. A long, fruity finish carries a waxy honey. This is the fragrant blending malt of Alves.