Another Spicy & Dry profile from this month’s outturn – this one an 11 year old from Glenburgie that’s been matured in a refill ex-bourbon barrel.
Nose: Floral and earthy. Grass, cut flowers and tree sap come together with wet hay and damp soils and leaves – not quite, but almost vegetal. Herbalness continues with a touch of menthol and is livened with some fruity sweetness from peach cobbler and apricot flan. A little dilution with water adds some aromas of old dusty cupboards and brings out some cask in the form of ginger spicing.
Taste: Floral, herbal and now meaty. Grassiness and flowers now come across as potpourri, and are supported by more overt fruitiness – peach, apricot and some tart lemons and limes. These are joined by a real meaty flavour - rosemary infused beef stock. Earthiness remains, as does spicing – ginger still present, but now with a sprinkle of pepper also. Water heightens our floral notes into a herbal liquor and adds to the level of sweetness generally.
Finish: Medium and favouring earthy flavours – very forest undergrowth.
An interesting Glenburgie that feels highly organic in this floral and earthy presentation. Not totally to my particular taste, but if you like them plant-like and biological, you’ll probably enjoy this a lot.