Glenburgie 15 Year Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail)

This Speyside distillery, stop 72 on the SDT, is mainly for blends in the Ballantine’s collection. It has been closed three times during its history, most recently in 2000. Between 2003-2004 it was rebuilt and resumed operations in 2004, producing a substantial 4.2 million liters of alcohol annually. This 15 year old bottling, meaning it was distilled before the distillery's most recent closure, comes from independent bottlers Gordon & Macphail. It's bottled at 43% ABV with a natural pale gold color, and I suspect it's not chill filtered. The aroma starts with potent vanilla and black licorice notes, along with fennel, green oak, and ginger. There's some bitter cocoa powder and a bit of pepper. The vanilla intensifies, and a touch of red berries emerges with distant hints of oranges and tangerines. The fruitiness increases, becoming more tropical with light coconut, pineapple, kiwi, and banana. These fruit notes are subtle but present. Mirroring the nose, the taste is rich with vanilla and black licorice, plus a hint of cocoa powder. Those tropical fruits appear quickly: coconut, pineapple, and banana, with faint kiwi and oranges. Some light raisins are present, along with green oak and a slightly out-of-place but not overly distracting metallic note. It's quite sweet, balanced by some bitterness. The mouthfeel is light-bodied, creamy, coating, and dry. The finish is rather short, dry, with tropical fruits and vanilla. It was almost absent after the first sip but improved with subsequent tastes. Honestly, this isn't a bad drink at all. It has good tropical flavors with pleasant vanilla, but it lacks a real "wow" factor. A good independent bottling, it might even be suitable for a tropical mixed drink, like a piña-colada, if rum isn't available. However, at $80, it's not really worth it. Thanks for the sample. 3.25 Cheers

We're getting close to our objective on this distillery tour, trying a single malt or grain from every operating distillery that has a bottle out. First from my collection is this single malt from Speyside producer Glenburgie. This is a 15 year old expression from the well-known independent bottler Gordon & Macphail, bottled at 43% ABV with no added color. It appears a very pale straw color and leaves a broad, slick film with no legs inside the glass. The aroma reveals most of this malt's traits from the start: vanilla, white oak with a hint of sherry sweetness and green apples. The taste is similarly straightforward: vanilla. It's very much like bourbon, but without the spice and warmth. It's smooth enough and pleasant for when you don't want a complex drink. The aftertaste is brief, a little warm, sweet, and woody. Generally, this is a rather dull drink. It's another distillery we can check off. I'm not sure I'd seek out another bottle from this producer, unless it was a much older one. Even then, cost would be a major factor. It wasn't worth the $79 I spent. It performs the same function as an inexpensive blended whisky. 3 stars. Enjoy.

Being part of this crazy distillery tour my friend put together is great because you discover distilleries you didn't know existed. This one, part of a formal selection from my friend, is completely new to me. I call it 'formal' because our group also offers 'unofficial' or 'bonus' selections. To be honest, the bonus ones are the real stars, and I suspect this time around the highest marks will go to a Macallan Black, a Springbank 24 single sherry cask, and a Four Roses LESB 2016. But, I'm getting sidetracked... So, this particular spirit... I'm not sure... I don't like the aroma. It's somewhat spoiled and artificial. Perhaps it's because I just tasted a rather good Alt-a-Bhainne (also supplied by my friend). It's like driving a regular car right after driving a luxury one. The taste has notes of lemongrass and powdered sugar. It has a quick, drying finish. It's acceptable. However, for around $80, you could find something better. Once more, this is my first time trying a spirit from this distillery—thanks to my friend!

Another round five pour. Another Saturday night. Just sitting back and giving this Glenburgie a go. The nose has a little bit of everything. Vanilla, green apples, hints of charcoal, fresh split oak, dried grass. The arrival is hot and tingling. Spicy red pepper is the initial blast. Once the spicy side ebbs, vanilla, toasted coconut, oak, char come through, however brief. A flash of black pepper towards the finish. The body is medium in weight and density. The finish is short consisting of ginger root, oak, vanilla that becomes drying. There is potential is this scotch. It’s on the cusp of being good. It however lacks the depth, variety and length of flavor. Even more, there is a youthful 8-10 year quality to this and not the more mature 15 year. It’s decent, but nothing that is impressionable. Thanks to a friend for the sample. [84/100][Tasted: 5/19/18]

The aroma has woody notes, vanilla, and a faint hint of smoke. On the palate, it's buttery with a medium coating of more vanilla, malted milk, and lemongrass. The finish is medium, primarily oily. It's acceptable, but not very engaging, and definitely doesn't seem like it's 15 years old. This maturity is more characteristic of a 7-year-old. The theme song for this drink should be "It's My Party (And I'll Cry If I Want To)" by Lesley Gore. Haha. 3.0! Thanks for the tasting experience from the distillery!

Pleasant, smooth Speyside malt