St. Magdalene 37 Years Old 1982 Cask #2092 (Private Collection)

A St. Magdalene single malt, selected and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail, aged 37 year old from 1982, drawn from cask 2092 and bottled at 53%. 161 bottles in all. St. Magdalene, also bottled as Linlithgow, was first founded as the Linlithgow distillery in 1753 in West Lothian, west of Edinburgh and mothballed for good in 1983. It was one of the five founding distilleries of Scottish Malt Distillers in 1914.

It was worked through an unusual set of five stills, floor malted on site, for the oily, grassy style that set it apart from other Lowlanders. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed sweetness. At over three decades it is rich and waxy, tropical fruit, beeswax and old oak over a mineral base. The closed era spirit is fixed now, its character set by the casks laid down before 1983. Closed era stock like this is finite, every bottle one fewer left.

At 53%, undiluted, it is deep and waxy. Oily apple, gooseberry and a mineral note sit alongside a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. A green apple and a herbal note lift it. A waxy, white fruit finish lingers long. This is a revered Lowland malt from a distillery silent since 1983.