Whisky: Glenburgie 7 Year (2011), SMWS 71.70 "Rubbed with fragrant body oils"

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 61.8%

Cask: First Fill Bourbon Barrel

Age: 7 Years (Distilled 1 Nov. 2011)

Nose: Tropical and fruity with guava candies, sandalwood, orange oil, pineapple, li hing mui, sweetened condensed milk, hints of melon, wax, and cocoa.

Palate: Medium to full-bodied, oily with a slow waxy build-up, a kiss of salt introduced kiwi, melon, pineapple, and sweetened condensed milk; guava candies and cured bamboo arrived next with orange chiffon cake, a touch of earth, and an occasional copper twang.

Finish: Medium to long with melon, salt, and a touch of earth.

Score: 7

Mental Image: Shave Ice from the Manapua Man

Narrative & Notes: I purchased this as my second ever Glenburgie after I adored SMWS 71.66, a similar, but not sibling, 7-Year 2011 vintage. After just a few months with it, I was worried that the bottle would get low pretty fast unless I found something similar as a backup. I also loved the whisky's name; in my mind, it is just suggestive enough without being over the top. It is also weirdly appropriate as the oily quality of the malt and notions of fruit, salt, and coconut put me in the mind of body oils or lotions.

My wife declared this was, much like 71.66, an appropriate bath-time whisky due to its oily texture and rich tropical fruity flavors. This cask was a touch sweeter than the other. At the same time, some of the earthier elements, which occasionally gave 71.66 a farmy quality, were far more subdued. I still enjoyed this whisky, even if it lacked all of the same complexity and depth.

Overall, I love these young Glenburgie and am always on the lookout for more these days.