I took most of 2025 off from checking whisky auctions— compared to pandemic era auction bidding, the value of the dollar made the whole affair a bit more gruesome, so say nothing of new government taxes and broker fees on shipping. I dipped my toes back into it toward the end of the year, and so this lovely Glenburgie made its way from one side of the world to mine. After all those pesky fees and shipping I ended up getting the bottle at a slight discount to its current retail price, but I just adore these 1995 Glenburgie and my prior experiences with North Star Spirits have generally been good.

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Whisky: Glenburgie 27 Year (1995), North Star Spirits

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 51.7%

Cask: Refill Hogshead 

Age: 27 Years (Distilled June 1995, Bottled Sept. 2022)

Notes: The aroma was sweet and bursting with fruits— fresh cut fruits, jams, and curds. It was mango, pineapple, and tangerine with hints of bitter orange and pomelo fruit. Fruit skins offered a bit of waxiness among a malty deluge of shortbread and pancakes. More tropical floral teas, white chocolate, coconut pudding, and guava jam arrived with time— a breakfast spread for the lanai. Medium-bodied on the palate, the whisky was juicy and a touch peppery with some lively spirit sprinkled around the outside. Tropical from start to finish with pineapple jam, crushed sugar cane, calamansi, passion flower tea, and guava candies. Tea tannins and more grassy sweetness lingered near the end with a bit of musty flower bed: earth, wood mulch, and hibiscus. The finish was medium to long with some peppery spirit, woody tannins (though more like tea still), and tropical fruit jams.

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Score: 8 (88)

Mental Image: Weekend Gardening during Breakfast

Conclusion: I love how many of these 1995 Glenburgie come off as incredibly tropical and floral, and this hit both those elements.  The fruits were crystal clear, though it lacked some of the soft maritime or danker earthy notes that elevated some of its peers. The fruits were wonderfully distinct and evolved nicely in the glass or the vapors; the aroma and flavor profile drifted languidly to softly touch on floral and garden elements, almost getting to the musty earthy undertones I like. It was a touch spicy and spirited considering the age, but that is not unusual for this cohort of Glenburgie.  Overall, a fine example of the vintage and profile— I knew from the first time I poured this that the bottle would not last long.