Glenesk 26 Years Old 1981 Cask #932 (Duncan Taylor)

Duncan Taylor bottled this Glenesk, a 26 year old, distilled in 1981, from cask 932, at 54.3%, one of 668 bottles. Glenesk is a lost Highland single malt, its distillery on the Angus coast long since demolished. It took the name Glenesk only in 1980, a few short years before it closed for good. Much of its make went to blends, above all William Sanderson's Vat 69.

The spirit was distilled from unpeated malt, for a light, honeyed make with a cereal edge. It was fully matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood deep in the fruity spirit. Through the evaporative decades the esters fold into mango, beeswax and a creamy honey. The light, malty spirit deepened with time, the cask drawing out a soft honey. A light, gently oily texture from the spirit carries through the maturation. Active wood frames the malt without ever crowding the light Highland spirit.

Bottled at a cask strength 54.3%, it is concentrated. A clean, malty sweetness with a grassy lift, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is light and waxy, carrying the malt. The close is light and clean, malt over a gentle oak. This is the quiet, malty malt of Montrose.