Glencraig 1974 (Duncan Taylor) (Cask 2923)

A Glencraig of a 33 year old chosen by Duncan Taylor, distilled in 1974, from cask 2923, at 40.9%, one of 220 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, here in a fuller, waxier form with real weight. It has belonged to Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, since 2005. The adjustable necks of the Lomond stills let the distillers dial in a richer, waxier spirit. Most of its make goes quietly to blends; single malt Glenburgie is rare, and largely from independents.

The spirit was distilled to a fuller, oilier cut, building a richer malt with real oily weight. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending a creamy vanilla. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending honey and dried fig as beeswax and a waxy note linger. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit.

At a natural 40.9% it is full and waxy. Pear, honey and a thick, waxy oak, with a gentle oak sweetness. Pear, wax and a rich honey fill the middle. The finish runs oily, fruity and waxy. This is the heavier, oily make of the distillery.