Glenesk 24 Years Old 1975 (SMWS 86.8)

This Glenesk was bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a 24 year old, distilled in 1975, from cask 86.8, at 59%. Glenesk is a closed Highland single malt, its bottlings now rare and sought by collectors. It returned to malt whisky in 1964, with two pairs of pot stills, under the name Hillside. Its water was drawn from the river by the Angus coast at Montrose. It was one of four malt distilleries in the Esk valley, of which only neighbouring Glencadam still runs.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, building a soft malt of honey, cereal and orchard fruit. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer tropical fruit over beeswax. Years in oak deepened the spirit to gold, the body growing rounder with time.

Bottled at a cask strength 59%, it is concentrated. A clean, malty sweetness with a grassy lift, lifted by a soft oak. Beneath it run honey, barley and a soft apple. The close is light and clean, malt over a gentle oak. This is a closed Highland single malt of real history.