Glenburgie | Whisky Den

Bought: Morrison & Mackay, 13^th January 2016

Ratings:
83.67/100 – Whiskybase (average from 5 member votes)

This Glenburgie is part of the 24 x 20cl bottles that make up the Carn Mor Vintage Collection. Distilled in 1988 and bottled in 2009, it’s from a limited edition of 1236, Cask No: 9695. Non-chill filtered, no added colour and 46%, so the makings of something very pleasant! With a score of nearly 84/100 on Whiskybase from 5 member votes, you’ve got to think this Speyside is a lovely dram.

I’ve currently got 21 of the 24 years that make up the Carn Mor Vintage Collection. Unfortunately the 3 years I have left are some of the earliest ones, 1983, 1985 and 1986. Some years had duplicates, which I can only assume was because they ran out and the bottler (‘The Scottish Liqueur Centre’ as it was then) decided to release another expression. Sadly the bottles haven’t been produced for several years and rarely appear at auction. It may be a long time before I complete my set of 24.

Glenburgie 1988 Carn Mor 20cl

Bought – Whisky Galore, 25th November 2013

Ratings:
77/100 – Whisky Bible 2006
74/100 – Malt Maniacs (average from 7 reviewers)

I had to go back to 2006 to find a review in the Whisky Bible of this Gordon & MacPhail bottling of Glenburgie. It first appeared in 2004 so it was still quite new by 2006. When I checked my 2009 bible it was gone and by 2013 it was old news. Even when it gets a mention in 2006 it’s very short – “Chewy, with curious coal-smoke weight”. That’s hardly going to make you want to rush out and buy it!

Clearly I didn’t get this whisky because of its reviews but I’ve got a sneaky suspicion I’m going to like it. I’m definitely a Speyside fan, with leanings towards the unpeated, and fruity, which is exactly the house style of Glenburgie distillery.

When I do finally take a sip of this 10yo I’ll be comparing it to the Ballantine ‘Finest’ I bought back in August because the Glenburgie malt is used as part of the blend. Will I be able to spot it in the Ballantine? It will be interesting to see.