Bladnoch Forum Glenburgie 1983 (25 year old) 53.5%
Sherry Hogshead 5492/ Dist: Oct 1983 Btl; Aug 2009/ Tasted: Sept 2009
A lovely nose of slightly leafy sherry cask along with rich, dried fruit and nutty overtones, enhanced by a violet top note. Over time aromas of rich orange, earth, wood spices and sweet honey can be observed as does a vanilla/ grainy note which would lead me to believe this is an American sherry cask. (which it did turn out to be!)
The palate is ultra clean with a lovely depth of soft, gentle, mature, nutty sherry wood. Exquisitely spicy on the middle with a piquant alcohol bite, which builds pleasantly. Excellent length with coffee and chocolate notes.
A drop of water emphasises the floral notes on the nose along with some light coffee, whilst on the palate it sweetens, giving it a candied edge and a late sooty/ charcoal note. In conclusion this is a very good sherry cask. Not much in the way of distillery character, but as Glenburgie in my experience has a tendency towards blandness this is not a bad thing.
Bladnoch Forum Glenburgie 1983 (26 year old) 53.7%
Sherry Cask 9801/ Dist: Oct 1983 Btl: Jun 2009/ Tasted: Dec 2009
A high toned leafy, sweet Oloroso nose. Quite malty and full with distinct green nuts and wood spice notes from the cask. A gentle/ elegant sherry monster! Lovely maturity and the sherrywood spices are divine. With time some liquorice, coffee, tar and a touch of menthol become apparent.
Soft and gentle nutty sherry fruit, a bit more Palo Cortado in style. As to be expected the combination of alcohol and tannins masks the finish although some leafy notes hang in there. The sweetness builds through out and becomes quite candied towards the end.
With water the nose becomes more candied and some orange conserve and sugar coated dried citrus rind appears. It’s definitely a sugarfest now! The palate is showing its age now – mature, poised and gentle with the flavours melding into serene morass. Like the nose it is pretty candied and one for those of you with a sweet tooth. Very long with hints of white flowers in the finish. A lovely mature sherry cask!
Whisky According to Chris Whiskyman 