SMWS Code: 71.41
Code Name: “Curious and intriguing”
Distillery: Glenburgie
Age: 17 years
Cask: Refill Ex-Sherry Gorda

Appearance: 1.3, Russet

Nose: Dominated by sulphur on the nose; gunpowder and spent matches. Fairly difficult to pick out much beyond that; a hint of some cola cubes, almost cherry coke.

Taste: Arrives with a crescendo of dry fruit, almost a biting dryness initially, gunpowder note is present but not overwhelming, restrained red fruits (cherries and plums), and golden syrup. I almost get an impression of lapsang souchong with the gunpowder element but it certainly isn’t smokey. Some toasted oak and nuttiness to round things out.

Finish: Dry red fruits and toasted oak spiciness; barest hint of gunpowder into the finish. Medium length.

Notes: I really don’t mind sherried whiskies with sulphur in them, so this one isn’t off putting to me despite being fairly sulphur heavy. It has a great weight to it, but ultimately the fact that the nose is dominated by the sulphur with no other notes fighting through, combined with the sub par finish, pulled the score down a bit for me.

Score: 85/100