Glenburgie 1948 & 1961 / 1981 ‘A special vatting to commemorate the wedding of H.R.H The Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer on 29th July 1981’ vs Glenburgie Batch 1 That Boutique-y Whisky Company
Comparing a very old and a rather new Glenburgie, certainly the only Glenburgie I have anyway. Thanks to friends!
Glenburgie 1948 & 1961 / 1981 ‘A special vatting to commemorate the wedding of H.R.H The Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer on 29th July 1981’ Gordon & Macphail 40%
Nose: This is great old style sherry maturation. Not just dark dried fruit (which there are buckets of) but multihued with lots of resin and cocoa, also slightly tarry. Beyond there is cedar, old wax and oily handyman tools, a bit of soot even. All at 40%! There’s only a hint of glass too, remarkable considering the abv and age. Doesn’t seem a very big whisky otherwise, more of an elegant one, with a medium body that seems quite supple despite wearing the sherry.
Palate: Quite alive and kicking, bringing what the nose promised, but also a deep and warm heat from what must be some pepper-ginger stew. The dark fruit, cocoa, old engine oil, dried wax are especially loud. Alas not showing much development after the (admittedly) great entry, and then pushing to the finish.
Finish: Medium, some oak now, and woody notes. Bit of char, loads of resin and old garage. Absolutely remarkable old malt that managed the sherry maturation and long storage with low abv like a dream.
Glenburgie Batch 1 That Boutique-y Whisky Company 49%
Nose: Ok familiar ground – Dusty malt, butter, orange oil, ginger candy. Lots of cereal tins, pollen and chamomile tea. Again not a heavy nor a light whisky, but elegant and supple. Very pleasing actually with these light-oily citrus and chamomile notes
Palate: Sweetly malty and buttery and some clear honey and again with some light oils. It quickly spices up with some gingery heat but goes into some pollen, leaf sap, dusty aniseed and chamomile again. Good quality modern make.
Finish: Somewhat short, buttery, pollen, floral teas,
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