Glendullan 18 Years Old 2001 Cask #7705 (Brothers in Malt)

A Glendullan of an 18 year old chosen by Brothers in Malt, distilled in 2001, from cask 7705, at 55.1%, one of 279 bottles. Glendullan is a Speyside single malt, long a blending malt and now a name in its own right. The founding firm merged into Macdonald Greenlees and was absorbed by DCL in 1926, a forerunner of Diageo. Its water rises at the Goats Well spring in the Conval Hills above the distillery. Most of its make has always gone to blends, above all Diageo's Old Parr.

It was distilled from unpeated malt, for the green, grassy make Glendullan is known for. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the fresh, fruity character to the fore. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds tropical esters of mango and pineapple over a creamy depth. 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.

At a natural 55.1% it is full and creamy. Green apple, pear and a light grass, lifted by a soft oak. Soft pear and a light vanilla sit behind the cask. The finish is rounded, fruity and clean. This is a light, grassy Speyside single malt.