Glendullan 9 Years Old 1996 Cask #MM 10036 (Murray McDavid)

This Glendullan was bottled by Murray McDavid, a 9 year old, distilled in 1996, from cask MM 10036, at 46%. Glendullan is a Speyside single malt from Dufftown, once supplied to King Edward VII. A second distillery was built alongside the original in 1972, the two running together until the old plant closed in 1985. It runs long fermentations and a slow distillation for a green, grassy, lightly fruity spirit. It sits on the banks of the River Fiddich, in the heart of Speyside.

It was drawn from a long fermentation, for a clean, grassy make with a fruity lift. It married ex-Bourbon oak and a Madeira cask, the wood working into the fruity malt. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and lactones a coconut, the spirit light, fresh and fruity. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. The fresh, fruity spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a soft honey.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow and fragrant. Pear, apple and a soft spice, with a nutty, raisined sweetness from the cask. The body is light and fresh, the fruit lifted by a soft oak. The finish is light, fruity and clean. This is a Speyside single malt of easy charm.