Is forethought useful or hindering? I’m positive we’d agree it’s extremely situational.
When I used to be a wee lad, I preferred to play chess. The method of trying past what was in entrance of you and “discovering the proper path” on the board was exhilarating. I performed continuously, and in doing so, I began to sport issues out off the board.
This isn’t at all times a sensible observe.
Typically I’d miss out on alternatives as a result of I couldn’t see far sufficient forward and different actions grew to become joyless as a result of I analyzed them an excessive amount of. It is for that reason I generally want to not know the technical data of a whisky. It’s a bell that may’t be un-rung. With sure items of knowledge registered in my head, I start to cobble collectively what the hypothetical whisky would possibly style and odor like.
I want I didn’t do that. Typically, you’d a lot quite somebody slide you a glass and say, “You gotta style this,” that’s all. No specs, only a dram.
After I first wrote about Glenburgie, I discussed that years in the past a whisky good friend steered me in the direction of bottles distilled earlier than 2004. Previous that time, the distillery was demolished and refurbished to increase manufacturing. Like many distilleries at this time, it grew to become totally automated as effectively. Naturally, as a contemporary client, I might a lot quite hear “artisanal” over “automated.”
So, between studying that and the warning acquired from my good friend (who had tasted extra Glenburgie than I), I shunned shopping for any of their stuff from the late aughts and past. I’d see new outrun on cabinets and rapidly pivot to one thing else, very like avoiding the sequel to a film that didn’t want one.
Not too long ago, destiny determined to check my stubbornness.
A good friend who was decluttering her place discovered a bottle and introduced it to me. She had acquired it on a visit however didn’t have a lot of a style for whisky. Because it seems, it was new Glenburgie, aged fully in a Sherry Butt, and bottled younger. At this level, the hypothetical whisky being assembled in my head didn’t appear very tempting. Nevertheless, this was primarily somebody sliding me that free style, and I used to be not about to reject that kindness.
Like nearly all Glenburgie that is independently bottled beneath the Càrn Mòr (which means Massive Pile) label, began by Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers. Morrison is an organization that started within the 18th century as a grocer, however later grew into each department of the whisky enterprise. Càrn Mòr’s “Strictly Restricted” collection is for single cask or small batch whiskies.
I fear the data on the label has already doomed this whisky to a rotten rating. Hopefully I can look previous my very own bias.
Càrn Mòr Strictly Restricted Glenburgie 7 Yr – Evaluate
Distilled in 2011 and bottled at 46% ABV in 2019. 670 bottles produced from one cask.
Color: Pale gold/hay.
On the nostril: That is nearly fully concerning the sherry cask. Soaked fruit, marzipan, roasted meat, and biscuits. This transitions and tapers off with snuffed candles. That stated, these sherry notes are delicate and never as bombastic as I anticipated them to be. So, whereas sulphur is certainly within the air, it presents some romanticism to the expertise, like a candlelit dinner that’s simply completed. It’s additionally price noting that it is a bit skinny and easy in a chilly glass however cupping your drink with each arms for the higher a part of a minute actually helps the whisky open up.
Within the mouth: Fortunately, Glenburgie’s creamy texture is what I observed first. This compliments the wealthy fruit, syrup, and char that you just style upfront. The mid-palate does get somewhat prickly attributable to alcoholic warmth, however not an excessive amount of. The end is straightforward with a little bit of almond sweetness. That is much less articulate than the aroma however stays true to what it guarantees.
Conclusions:
Not a whole lot of the Glenburgie character will get via the sherry cask affect. Nevertheless, the bit that does get via helps intensify the sherry notes which might be being served up. The distillate does play a background position, however a helpful one. It’s not simply floundering, or worse, working in opposition to the sherry affect.
As I’ve stated, generally I get forward of myself. I’ll let my suspicions and prior expertise colour what’s in entrance of me. That is one thing I’ll proceed to work on, particularly relating to whisky. As a result of whereas this wasn’t the Glenburgie of outdated, it wasn’t a complete stranger both.
For a younger whisky to indicate some distillery character, and never be fully swallowed by the ketchup-y affect of a sherry cask, is spectacular. What’s extra, most retailers nonetheless promoting this, value it at round €50 (which shakes out to about the identical in {dollars}). Not an unreasonable value for a hard-to-find single malt.
I’ve hope for the new Glenburgie. The brand new automated operation has not (but) homogenized or steamrolled it right into a cookie cutter malt with no distinctive qualities. I’m trying ahead to discovering new ‘Burgie as soon as once more, which is the very best consequence when a good friend presents you a dram.
