Glendullan 12 Years Old (Macdonald Greenless Ltd)

Glendullan from the distillery, a 12 year old, at 43%. Glendullan is a Speyside single malt, one of the larger malt distilleries in the Diageo group. It sits on the banks of the River Fiddich, in the heart of Speyside. Its water rises at the Goats Well spring in the Conval Hills above the distillery. It was built in 1897 by William Williams and Sons, Aberdeen blenders, the seventh and last distillery raised in Dufftown.

It was run slowly off the spirit still, for a fresh, fruity spirit with a light body. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak lending vanilla and a light honey. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the fruity spirit growing rounder and creamier. The fresh, fruity spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a soft honey. Long ageing turns the fresh green notes towards orchard fruit, honey and a gentle spice.

At an approachable 43% it is fresh and clean. A fresh orchard fruit and a malty sweetness, lifted by a soft oak. The body is light and fresh, the fruit lifted by a soft oak. The finish runs fresh, grassy and clean. This is a light, grassy Speyside single malt.