St. Magdalene 33 Years Old 1975 Rare Old (G&M)

Single malt St. Magdalene, an independent Gordon & MacPhail bottling, aged 33 year old from 1975 and bottled at 43%. St. Magdalene, also bottled as Linlithgow, was founded in 1753 on the Union Canal in West Lothian and closed in the great cull of 1983. It is now one of the most lamented lost Lowland distilleries.

Distilled in coal fired pot stills, the barley floor malted on site, giving the waxy, mineral spirit it is remembered for. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. Decades leave it deep and oxidative, candied tropical fruit and wax with great depth. The waxy, oily make carries cask flavour while holding its own character. The Union Canal ran past the distillery, carrying its casks through the whisky boom years. It was one of the five founding distilleries of Scottish Malt Distillers in 1914. Closed in the great cull of 1983, it never reopened, the buildings becoming flats.

At 43% it is supple and waxy. The refill oak lending honey and vanilla, with a mineral, oily character with sharp fruit. The texture is oily and coating, the wax threaded through. The finish is deep, waxy and tropical. This is a piece of Lowland whisky history in the glass.