St. Magdalene 32 Years Old 1975 Rare Old (G&M)

Gordon & MacPhail bottled this St. Magdalene single malt, a 32 year old release from 1975 and bottled at 43%. St. Magdalene was dating to 1753 in the old whisky country west of Edinburgh, and closed in 1983 after some two centuries. The Union Canal carried its casks to market through the whisky boom years.

Distilled on artesian well water in old fashioned coal fired stills, building the distinctive oily character it is loved for. An Oloroso sherry cask wrapped the oily spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. At this age it is deep and elegant, tropical fruit and mineral wax folded into the spirit. Cool warehousing gives a slow, even maturation true to the Lowland style. Run by the Dawson family for much of the 19th century, it passed to DCL in 1912. Tasters often liken its waxy, mineral edge to a fine Riesling.

At an approachable 43% it is elegant and balanced. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and a waxy, herbal depth with orchard fruit meet honeyed oak sweetness underneath. Soft citrus and orchard fruit sit behind the sweetness. It closes long, waxy and grassy. This is a finite pour from a lamented lost Lowland distillery.