Glenburgie is not a whisky we've reviewed on here before (other than as part of a blending sample) and probably has more profile through its inclusion into the Chivas Regal & Ballantine's blends, but this particular example is prime reason why it should be taken very seriously indeed as a single malt.
Part of the Chivas Brothers Cask Strength Edition range, (only available at the distillery shops) this Glenburgie sashays in at 15yo and is part of batch GB 15 001. We have little idea what that number means, but expect there to be more of this round the corner in the guise of other batches.
Glenburgie - 15 yo - Cask Strength Edition - Distilled 1992- bottled 2007 - Batch no: 15 001 - 58.8% - 50cl
Nose: Initially highly fruity, with some superb bourbon sweetness, Wrigley's Juicy Fruit, blackcurrant jam, scented wax, a dusting of cocoa and milk chocolate covered limes. It shares a similar freshness to that of Rosebank bottled around the same age. Developed, with a hint of oak too, but just wonderfully balanced.
Palate: Notes of honey comb hit the palate first, into fruit salad sweets, chocolate covered fudge, fresh clean malt and brittle caramel. The fruits push on through, delivering a sweet, tangy freshness, with a hint of sherbet on the back palate.
Finish: Creamy but slightly drying, with lingering blackcurrant notes.
Overall: What a totally brilliant find. In this day and age of the 'heightened aesthetic', the whisky bottle needs to reflect all the positivity it can about the liquid inside. So often, it goes totally wrong and looks cheap, glitzy and frankly, off-putting. What we have here is a really delicious well made and matured single malt, packaged simply, offering no airs or graces. It rewards the effort of a distillery visit and at around £40 is rewarding on the wallet too. You could buy 2,500 bottles of this for the cost of one Dalmore Trinitas. Not the point of either whisky I know, but food for thought.
