Glenesk 30 Years Old 1983 Cask #4929 (part) (Blackadder)

A Glenesk of a 30 year old chosen by Blackadder, distilled in 1983, from cask 4929 (part), at 54.4%, one of 328 bottles. Glenesk was a light, malty Highland single malt of honey and gentle orchard fruit. It was founded in 1897, when a flax mill at Montrose was first turned to distilling. It ran under five names in its life, from Highland Esk to North Esk, Montrose, Hillside and at last Glenesk.

It was run slowly off the spirit still, for the light, malty make Glenesk was known for. It was matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood working into the fruity malt. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending honey and dried fig as beeswax and a waxy note linger. Long ageing turned the fresh notes towards orchard fruit, honey and a gentle spice. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the malt. First fill wood drove the maturation, the cask clear in the light spirit.

Bottled at a cask strength 54.4%, it is concentrated. Apple, pear and a gentle honey, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A gentle apple and a soft spice lift the middle. The finish is light, malty and clean. This is a closed Highland single malt of real history.