Glencraig 1975

This Glencraig was bottled by Gordon and MacPhail, a 25 year old, distilled in 1975, at 40%. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, this a richer, weightier spirit than the usual. It was founded in 1810 as Kilnflat by William Paul, taking the Glenburgie name in 1878. It sits near Alves in Moray, east of Forres, in the heart of Speyside.

It was run off the stills with their adjustable necks, for a fuller, oilier make with real weight. A bourbon barrel held it, the wood adding a soft honey over the orchard fruit. In the oxidative, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to tropical fruit, honey and a waxy, candle wax depth. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the spirit. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards beeswax, tropical fruit and a gentle spice. Built for the blender's art, the make ages with quiet grace as a single malt.

At 40% it is smooth and fruity. A fuller, oily malt with an orchard sweetness, with a gentle oak sweetness. Beneath it run apple, beeswax and a heavier honey. A rich finish closes on apple and a deep beeswax. This is the heavier, oily make of the distillery.