Glenesk 31 Years Old 1984 Cask #5282 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

A 31 year old Glenesk from The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd, distilled in 1984, from cask 5282, at 50%, one of 300 bottles. Glenesk was a Highland single malt from a distillery near Montrose that closed in 1985. It ran under five names in its life, from Highland Esk to North Esk, Montrose, Hillside and at last Glenesk. It passed to DCL in 1954 and to Scottish Malt Distillers in 1964, ending its days within Diageo. It was one of four malt distilleries in the Esk valley, of which only neighbouring Glencadam still runs.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a clean, lightly fruity spirit with a malty backbone. A bourbon barrel held it, the wood adding a soft honey over the orchard fruit. Ethereal and fragile, the decades draw it to a honeyed, waxy delicacy of tropical fruit and old oak. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the malt. With the distillery long closed, these are casks that can never be filled again.

At a natural 50% it is full and creamy. A honeyed, malty sweetness, lifted by a soft oak. It is malty and clean, the honeyed spirit shining through. A gentle finish closes on honey and a soft oak. This is a lost Highland single malt.