Glenburgie distillery has been producing whisky near Forres in Speyside since 1829, and for most of its existence its malt has served the Ballantine's blending operation alongside Miltonduff. The two distilleries provide the malty backbone of Ballantine's — Miltonduff contributing honeyed sweetness, Glenburgie adding a fruitier, more floral character. The 15 Year Old, released under the Ballantine's Single Malt Series banner, is one of the few official bottlings the distillery has received.
The whisky shows why Glenburgie is valued by blenders. The spirit has a distinctive fruity-floral character — pear and apple notes that are naturally present rather than cask-derived — combined with a clean maltiness that plays well with other whiskies. At fifteen years, the bourbon cask maturation has added enough oak influence to provide structure without masking the spirit's natural brightness.
Glenburgie 15 is a pleasant, well-made Speyside malt that demonstrates the quality hidden inside Scotland's blending distilleries. It may lack the drama or intensity to command attention as a single malt, but the fruit and floral character give it a genuine charm. For Ballantine's drinkers curious about the component malts, or for anyone seeking a light, fruity Speyside at a fair price, Glenburgie offers a quietly satisfying experience.
