Glencraig 1976 (Signatory) (Cask 4253)

This Glencraig was bottled by Signatory Vintage, a 40 year old, distilled in 1976, from cask 4253, at 42.6%, one of 192 bottles. Glenburgie is a Speyside single malt, this a heavier, oilier make than its light house style. It was expanded to six stills after the rebuild, one of the bigger distilleries in the group.

The spirit was run off the stills with their adjustable necks, for a fuller, oilier make with real weight. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin and a soft coconut under the malt. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending honey and dried fig as beeswax and a waxy note linger. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the Speyside spirit. The spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a soft beeswax. Built for the blender's art, the make ages with quiet grace as a single malt.

Bottled at a cask strength 42.6%, it is concentrated. Pear, honey and a thick, waxy oak, over a gentle, creamy oak. Pear, wax and a rich honey fill the middle. The finish runs oily, fruity and waxy. This is a waxy, oily Speyside single malt.