Glendullan 13 Years Old 2001

Gordon and MacPhail, the Elgin grocer laying down casks on South Street since 1895, bottled this Glendullan, distilled in 2001, at 46%. Glendullan is a Speyside single malt from Dufftown, on the banks of the River Fiddich. Its founder also struck an exclusive supply deal with neighbouring Glenfiddich.

It was distilled from unpeated malt, for a clean, grassy make with a fruity lift. 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. A light, clean texture from the spirit carries through the maturation. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Long ageing turns the fresh green notes towards orchard fruit, honey and a gentle spice. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the light spirit.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow and fragrant. A fresh orchard fruit and a malty sweetness, lifted by a soft oak. It is fruity and clean, the grassy spirit shining through. Green apple, citrus and a soft oak see it out. This is a green, malty Speyside single malt.