Glendullan 15 Years Old 2009 Cask #9 (Signatory)

A 15 year old Glendullan from Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2009, from cask 9, at 55.6%, one of 344 bottles. Glendullan is a Speyside single malt, long a blending malt and now a name in its own right. Within a few years it was supplied to King Edward VII by royal request, from 1902. A second distillery was built alongside the original in 1972, the two running together until the old plant closed in 1985.

It was run slowly off the spirit still, building a clean malt of orchard fruit and a grassy edge. An Oloroso cask held it, drawing the light spirit on over the years. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the orchard fruit turning to mango, pineapple and a waxy honey. A light, clean texture from the spirit carries through the maturation. Years in oak deepen the spirit to gold, the body growing rounder with time. The fresh, fruity spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a soft honey.

Bottled at a cask strength 55.6%, it is concentrated. A clean, grassy sweetness with a floral lift, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A green apple and a gentle citrus lift the middle. A medium finish carries a soft honey. This is a green, malty Speyside single malt.