St. Magdalene 29 Years Old 1966 (Connoisseurs Choice)

This is a St. Magdalene single malt, chosen and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail matured to 29 year old from 1966 and bottled at 40%. St. Magdalene was established in the mid 18th century on the site of a former convent; shut by DCL in 1983. It was one of the five founding distilleries of Scottish Malt Distillers in 1914.

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. Past twenty five years the spirit turns honeyed and tropical while keeping its edge. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the waxy, mineral core over decades. There were no official bottlings in its lifetime; its fame came with Diageo's Rare Malts. Its oily, grassy character set it apart from the lighter, more floral Lowland malts. The distillery is bottled under both its names, St Magdalene and Linlithgow.

At 40% it is soft, oily and grassy. A gentle vanilla from the wood, with sharp white fruit and a grassy wax. The mouthfeel is oily, the fruit carried on a waxy body. Beeswax and citrus see out a long finish. This is one of the great ghost whiskies of the Lowlands.