Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Glenburgie 1988 Aged 32 Years

Style: Fruity and Spicy

Rating: ☆ [Recommended]

Nose:

Opens with a spice attack before gradually unfolding into apricots, thick vanilla cream, and a hint of floral aquavit. Beneath lies a deep coppery tone intertwined with marzipan, malt, fennel, and assorted green herbs. Solid white fruits form a crystallised core, joined by jammy red cherries that gradually build momentum. Fleeting herbal spikes towards the end.

Palate:

Again sharp surge of spice leads the charge, pulsing with green herbal waves. Lime confectionery and fresh red sherries are wrapped in layers of dry spice, green grass, and white oak. At one point, it turns quite woody, tannic, and peppery. With time, the profile softens as malt and tropical fruits emerge, supported by mineral undertones and a touch of spent coffee. Coconut shreds and ice cream round out the finish.

Finish:

Sherry tones rise prominently, joined by citrus and floral fragrances now set free. Malt takes centre stage, leaving a clean and lingering impression. A well-structured and satisfying finish.

Thoughts:

A technically complex dram — challenging at first, as the spice can prickle and the dryness may feel assertive. Yet patience is rewarded, layers of evolving flavour reveal a dynamic and multifaceted personality. Each revisit offers a slightly different facet, a shifting mosaic of fruit, malt, and spice. Not your typical fruit-bomb Glenburgie, but certainly one that keeps you engaged and entertained.

[53.8% | Independent Bottling | 1988 Distilled | 2020 Bottled | 134 Bottles | Cask Strength | Single Cask | Cask Strength | Batch Number: 21/003 | Cask Number: 1083 | Refill American Hogshead | *]

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