About Glenburgie
Glenburgie is a cornerstone of Pernod Ricard’s blending portfolio, playing a pivotal role in the production of Ballantine’s and other key blends. Often categorized as an “A1” single malt primarily destined for blending, Glenburgie sits alongside Longmorn and Scapa in Pernod Ricard’s impressive line-up. While there are official Glenburgie bottlings, including 15- and 18-year-old age-statement releases, these are relatively scarce and not consistently available.
Adding to its intrigue, Glenburgie was also the birthplace of the now-defunct Glencraig single malt, produced using Lomond stills installed in 1958. These distinctive stills were removed in 1981, marking the end of Glencraig’s short-lived but fascinating production history.
How Does Glenburgie Compare To Other Speyside Distilleries?
Glenburgie, on the other hand, shines in a different way. It offers a fragrant, green-fruit-forward, and cereal-driven profile that sets it apart from heavier or more sherried Speyside expressions. For those who appreciate a lighter, fresher single malt, Glenburgie is an excellent choice.
Independent bottlings provide an especially insightful glimpse into Glenburgie’s true character. These releases often showcase the distillery’s core style while sometimes experimenting with unique cask finishes, adding intriguing layers to the whisky.
Is This Bottle A Good Value Purchase?
Marsala-finished or fully matured whiskies are still something of a rarity, though cask types like this and Madeira have gained more traction in recent years. At 16 years old, this bottle offers exceptional value, combining an intriguing cask finish with the craftsmanship of one of the most reputable spirits companies in the world, Berry Bros. & Rudd, for the Glens & Valleys collection.
