Glenburgie 15 year old Ballantine’s Malt

Glenburgie became an essential component of Ballantine’s blended whisky when the distillery was bought by Hiram Walker in 1935. Also known as Glenburgie-Glenlivet, Glenburry or Glen Burgie, the distillery is based near Alves, Moray in Speyside region.

Because its whisky is usually an ingredient for blends, you rarely bump into their single malts. I’ve only tasted one Glenburgie indie bottling by Gordon & MacPhail. Fortunately in 2017 Ballantine’s, released a series of single malts which were used as the base of their blended whisky.

Pleasant malt

Even though I found this single malt quite delicate, a bit too light for my taste, it manages to offer wee character under its mellow shade.

With higher alcohol by volume level it could easily fit to much higher score. Pleasant single malt with lots of potential to be even better.

Tasting Notes

Matured in:

American Oak casks

ABV: 40%

Colour: Pale gold

Nose: Sugar, barley and grapes dominate the start. Malty green fruits such as pears and apples kick in. Pleasant aromas but there’s room for more intensity in the nose.

Taste: Vanilla candy with hints of spices and even a tad bit of ginger. Quite acid and very fruity after developing via oxidation, while resting in the whisky glass.

Finish: Short but amazingly intense. Offering similar kind of sweet fruits and hints of spices as the palate. Definitely the best part, even though short.

Balance: There’s lots of potential. What would higher ABV do for example? Could it offer more intensity to aromas and longer aftertaste, perhaps?