St. Magdalene 24 Years Old 1982 Cask #DL 3222 (Douglas Laing)

This St. Magdalene was from the independent bottler Douglas Laing, a 24 year old Lowland malt from 1982, drawn from cask DL 3222 and bottled at 50%. 329 bottles in all. St. Magdalene, also bottled as Linlithgow, was established in the mid 18th century on the site of a former convent and shut by DCL in 1983. It is bottled under both its names, St Magdalene and Linlithgow.

It was drawn off coal fired stills fed by an on site artesian well, for a waxy, grassy spirit with sharp white fruit. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the oily character lead. At this age the sharp white fruit settles into a fuller, waxy malt. The distinctive spirit ages gracefully, gaining depth without losing its individuality. The pagoda topped malt barn survives as a listed building above the new apartments. There were no official bottlings in its lifetime; its fame came with Diageo's Rare Malts.

At a full 50% it is intense yet elegant. A gentle vanilla from the wood runs under a waxy, grassy depth with white fruit. It is waxy and deep, the fruit and oil woven in. The finish is deep, waxy and tropical. This is a piece of Lowland whisky history in the glass.