Gordon & MacPhail Glenburgie 15yo Cask 17602308 & Gordon & MacPhail Scapa 17yo Cask 483

Gordon & MacPhail Glenburgie 15yo Cask 17602308

Region: Speyside

ABV: 57.4%

Price: £95.00

Distilled in 2008 and bottled on 6th March 2024 after 15 years of maturation, this Gordon & MacPhail European exclusive was drawn from a first fill sherry hogshead. Outturn of 299 bottles. 

Nose

The nose opens with freshly grated ginger, warm honey notes, brandy snaps, alongside lots of clove and cinnamon spice. Behind this we're finding more berry fruitiness, mostly dark cherry, blackcurrant and faint currant too. There's a slight vegetal nature to this, tobacco leaf, and some green pepper too. As some air gets into the dram, we're getting more vanillas, custard and brown sugar. 

Palate

The palate opens with a really nutty sherry profile, old furniture, candied almonds and cashews, leather bound books, and a bit of caramelised brown sugar. There's a lingering vanilla custard sweetness that is the predominant note on the finish. Going back, we're finding some black peppercorns, a little burnt pastry crust, aniseed, blackcurrant cordial and a little Kirsch too. As we go back to it, it seems to get a little drier, and slightly astringent on the finish.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose has more nutty aromas now, and more of those old leather, old oak furniture aromas, alongside the introduction of dates and some bruleed figs too. It also feels a little jammier overall.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate loses a bit of texture, but gains fresher red fruits, think currants, cherries and raspberries. There's some more vanilla and custard flavours appearing,  with a nutty, vegetal backbone that appears on the latter palate.

Conclusion

An old-ish style of sherried whisky, lots of nutty, oaky, leathery notes with hints of honeyed sweetness and some berries in the background. There's an interesting vegetal side to this dram which some will really enjoy. For us, it's a 7.5/10.

Score: 7.5/10

Value

The good news is it is good whisky. The bad news is it is a touch pricey.

Gordon & MacPhail Scapa 17yo Cask 483

Region: Highlands

ABV: 56.4%

Price: £149.99

Distilled in 2005 and bottled on 18th of August 2022 after 17 years of maturation, this Gordon & MacPhail UK exclusive release was drawn from a first fill ex bourbon barrel. Just 186 bottles were released. 

Nose

The nose opens with a big hit of creamy coconut upfront, a mixture of coconut milk and coconut shavings, followed by some freshly zested lemon, white chocolate coins and a background of tropical fruits, mainly pineapple. Very Scapa-esque, with some fudge coming through and a little candied ginger as we go back. The alcohol is nicely balanced, present but not overpowering. Time and air brings out some white peach, marshmallows and melon balls.

Palate

The palate opens with a lot of orchard fruits, very apple forward, pear skin, mixing into some mango puree and sweetened lemon iced tea. There's also lots of caster sugar, some more coconut and tinned pineapple chunks. The mouthfeel is good, perhaps a little thinner than we'd like, but the finish does linger on for a fair while, lots of creamy vanilla custard and sweet tropical fruits. There's a bit of ginger spice coming through too but it's overall very well balanced.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose feels a little richer, there's still fruit there but some of the caramels and warning wood spice notes begin to make their way to the forefront. Still super creamy, with lots of coconut and white chocolate too.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate has lost a bit of texture which is a shame, but we're getting all of those tropical fruit notes in abundance, and lots of coconut and vanilla custard - very much fresh vanilla now, a freshly scraped pod. To be honest, it doesn't need the water.

Conclusion

We love well aged Scapa in bourbon and this is no different - the typical Scapa character and that's no bad thing. Creamy, tropical, well balanced, fruity, it's got a bit of everything. An easy 8/10.

Score: 8/10

Value

Definitely not cheap, but then Scapa rarely is.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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