1984 Convalmore 32 Year Old (Special Release 2017) Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Whisky history up for grabs.

Another closed distillery and another Diageo dark horse dedicated to providing malt for blends, so rarely found. Convalmore was mothballed in 1985 with ownership transferred to William Grant & Sons in 1990. The new owners turned the building into a maturation facility for Glenfiddich and Balvenie and removed the distillation equipment, hence, it's almost certain this distillery will never produce whisky again. The house style has been compared to Clynelish at its best, with an accent on waxy fruitiness.

Tasting note: Drawn from refill American oak hogsheads. Bright gold. Oak shavings in the initial pass then fluffy-soft, semi-sweet aromas evocative of apple cinnamon yogurt, pear flan and honey. A pure, silky, gently warming delivery with perfectly rounded fruity, succulent malt and a freshness that belies its age. Finish melts in your mouth, as does the beeswax and sweet oak aftertaste. Sublime texture rather than complexity wins out here. 48.2% Alc./Vol. 3,972 bottles.

Other reviews… Distilled in 1984, just a few months before the distillery closed, this was aged in refill American oak hogsheads. A whiff of early earthiness gives way to pear drops, honey, vanilla, and resin on the nose. Pears, pineapple, caramel, and vanilla on the slightly waxy, spicy palate. Slowly drying in the medium-length finish, with peppery licorice and a hint of char.
88 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Winter 2017)