Glendullan 26 Years Old 1978

A distillery release of Glendullan, a 26 year old, from 1978, at 56.6%, 4200 bottles in all. Glendullan is a Speyside single malt from Dufftown, on the banks of the River Fiddich. Its water rises at the Goats Well spring in the Conval Hills above the distillery.

It was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, giving a fresh, lightly fruity Speyside spirit. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak lending vanilla and a light honey. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer tropical fruit over beeswax. Because the long fermentation keeps the spirit fresh and grassy, the cask shows clearly with time. 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. Maturation runs slow and even in the warehouses at Dufftown.

At 56.6%, undiluted, it is rich and fruity. Pear, apple and a soft spice, lifted by a soft oak. The body is light and fresh, the fruit lifted by a soft oak. Green apple, citrus and a soft oak see it out. This is a light, grassy Speyside single malt.