Glenburgie 5, Italian import, 40% abv.

Supposedly from 1965. The Glenburgie distillery was more or less like a light switch and a hot potato, on/off through the decades and being passed around like a 29 cent hooker, but ended up in Pernod's portfolio and primarily used in Ballantine's blends. There have been very few original releases over the years, mostly from IBs such as the Laing's, G&M, and Signatory.

Nose: strong toast, vanilla, Ichiro's Malt Card series level.

Palate: light bodied, generally sweet, definitley honey based, like eating a bunch of light fruit all at once, back palate has some wood and jelly, where all the action is.

Finish: medium, like eating honey jello, boiled lychees.

This is an interesting one and I think I now know why its one of those famous bottles. Its flavorful, but very light on impact, relatively smooth, and the nose is so strong. I appreciate it for the aromas and the light yet deliverable flavors, but outside of those offerings, it doesn't perform well.

Grade: B-

Whiskyfun.com, Serge Valentin, sgp:363, 86 points for 1965, 43% abv
Malt maniacs, Serge Valentin, 86 points
Whiskynotes, Ruben Luyten, 84/100 for 1965, 43% abv

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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