Glenesk – 1984/2023 38 Year Old Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) (70cl, 50.5%)

A 38 year old single cask Highland malt from Glenesk, bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in its Connoisseurs Choice range as part of the second Recollection series. It matured in a refill sherry butt, was distilled on 9 May 1984 and bottled on 8 February 2023 at a cask strength of 50.5%, giving 103 bottles. It is non-chill-filtered and has no added colouring. The spirit comes from the short period when the distillery carried the name Glenesk, shortly before it closed in 1985. The nose offers stewed berries with cinnamon, ginger, sultanas, orange peel and toasted oak. On the palate, stewed wild berries move into dark chocolate and lime peel, with brown sugar and roasted hazelnuts. The finish is medium, with coffee bean and apple.