Whisky: Glenburgie 15 Year (1992), Chivas Bros. Cask Strength Edition

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 58.8%

Cask: Oak

Age: 15 years (Distilled 1992, Bottled 2007)

Nose: Tropical florals and botanical gardens, creamy, musty earth, melons, overripe fruits, tropical pineapple and guava.

Palate: Medium-bodied, tropical fruits, subtle florals, botanical garden, wood, melon, citrus, peppery toward the end, white chocolate.

Finish: Medium-length with peppery spirit, wood, fruit, subtle white chocolate.

Score: 7 (82)

Mental Image: Botanical Garden Picnic

Narrative & Notes: The aroma offered a warm botanical garden welcome with vibrant tropical vegetation, sweet florals, and subtle sweet cream. Annatto seeds and passion flowers provided a floral spice to musty tropical loam and hints of earthy decay. A grab bag of cantaloupe and honey dew slices took the tour in a fruity direction with hints of overripe fermented breadfruit, green banana, white guava, and pineapple. Medium-bodied with an oaky undercurrent, the flavor profile lingered on a sweet melange of tropical fruits and subtly floral, earthy botanical garden notes. Citrusy pineapple ambled over the top of fresh white gauva, and sliced melons while a touch of peppery spirit sizzled in the background. Musty earth and floral notions of passionflower and annatto waited further in with hints of white chocolate and cocoa butter.  The finish was medium-length with a spirited and woody pepperiness that pulled attention away from the subtle fruits and white chocolate.

I initially thought this was an absolute fruit and melon bomb, but the palate lacked the level of juiciness it needed to ascend to that level. It was occasionally austere, and frequently peppery with a perceptible woodiness and a spirited quality that grew toward the end and lingered through to the finish with a numbing spice. I loved the balance of flavors, but the spirited quality left the whisky feeling a touch raw and unrefined. It was delicious, but it was not an easy sipper or a convivial companion for other drams.

Overall, a fantastic glimpse in the Glenburgie distillery in the early 90s.