The Whisky Blues No. 034 Burnside 1994 28 Years Old

Style: Sweet and Grassy

Rating: ☆ [Recommended]

Nose:

A beautiful blotch of sweet yellow fruits lightens up delicate white lilies, green grass and minerals. Followed by lemon curd and orange lollies which unlock a bright malt at the core. Cinnamon bark and white peppercorns stoking the backbone, tropical fruits soda fizzling comfortably beneath. Slightest hint of eau-de-vie lingers at the very top for a fleeting moment. Delicate but upbeat sweetness.

Palate:

Assorted yellow, citrus and tropical fruits now combine and catapulted by a strong spirit pulse. Orange and pineapple chunks crystallised nicely down a level. Then in comes a sweeping dry, grassy and herbal wave quickly taking over from mid-palate - think peppermint, Thai Basil stalks and fern tips. Barley buried in taro, mineral touches and just a touch of vanilla sugar to keep it alive.

Finish:

Sweet cooked fruits thin as a thread but still holding on. A little more barley as well.

Thoughts:

While the fruits-herbs transition on the palate happens too quickly and too sharp to my liking, it remains a pretty decent fruit bomb. Probably a little bit extra patience and attention is required, you will find it is reasonably balanced and delicious. If only there are more Balvenie... Ahem, Burnside at different vintages and specs available in the market for us to understand this malt in its true form.

[47.8% | 1994 Distilled | 2022 Bottled | Single Cask | Cask Strength | 229 Bottles | Hogshead | Non Coloured | Non Chill Filtered | *]

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