Speyside again, this time a 10 year old Glenburgie matured for its entire life in a refill ex-bourbon barrel. Juicy, Oak & Vanilla profile.
Nose: Cookie dough, cream, pastries and vanilla extract – this is all very Mary Berry. Salted (almost a touch of coastal breeze) caramel mixed with juicy orchard fruits and a pile of clotted cream and jam scones (with the jam spread first naturally). Water reduces the levels of sweetness, making the fruits slightly tart and adding gooseberries.
Taste: Medium bodied and quite oaty on arrival – Quaker for breakfast perhaps? Golden syrup, creamy custard and vanilla are joined by poached pears, freshly cut wood planks, and a dusting of caster sugar. The addition of water really emphasises the oaty and oaky elements, adding further vanilla and wood shavings.
Finish: Medium, quite drying, with allspice, cinnamon and toffee.
This Glenburgie is 50% homebaking, 50% woodwork. It just about manages to keep both elements in check and working with each other, though personally I preferred the overall balance when undiluted – though that does make for a particularly cracking 60.5% ABV which you’re not going to necessarily want to start (or end?!) an evening with.