A Scot on Scotch

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A Scot on Scotch reviews a Dràm Mòr Glenburgie, Speyside single malt single cask Scotch whisky…

Dràm Mòr Independent Bottler

Independent bottlers play a crucial role in the Scotch whisky industry. By sourcing casks from distilleries all over Scotland, they offer whisky drinkers choice and variety. IBs will often bottle casks from distilleries that don’t have their own single malt brand or they will release whisky from well-known distilleries that are presented in an unusual format. They often utilise secondary cask maturation (or finishing) to put their own unique spin on each bottling.

Dràm Mòr are one such bottler. Launched in 2020, the family-owned business has established itself as one of the most respected and dependable bottlers on the market. I’ve been fortunate enough to taste a wide selection of their releases and have always been impressed with the quality. Naturally, some drams appeal to my personal tastes more than others but the overall consistency of Dràm Mòr’s releases has been seriously impressive.

Glenburgie Distillery

Glenburgie Distillery was established in 1829, though there are some suggestions that a distillery occupied the site as early as 1810. Originally named Kilnflat, it was renamed in 1871 and has been known as Glenburgie ever since.

The distillery lies between Elgin and Forres, in a picturesque landscape made up predominantly of farmland near the coast of the Moray Firth. The Distillers’, Brewers’ and Spirit Merchants’ Magazine of October 1st 1900, describes a visit to the distillery…

“This is quite an avenue, and a very pretty one: great trees, laden with cherries, and others overgrown with ivy, whose tendrils reach to their highest stems. Rather a picturesque approach to a distillery, surely, but there it is, the tall chimney looking somewhat lonely in the surrounding stillness.“

Between 1936 and 1959, Glenburgie was run by Distillery Manager, Margaret Nicol, the first woman to hold a management role at a Scottish distillery. Glenburgie, like most of the Scotch industry, had a tough time during the early part of the 20th century, and was forced to close down in 1925.

The dormant distillery was eventually taken on by George Ballantine & Son who appointed Margaret as manager. Under her guidance, the struggling distillery began to find a new path. Margaret oversaw a full refurbishment, including the doubling of production capacity and even introduced a set of innovative, Lomond stills in 1958. A year later, she retired, but her legacy as a crucial figure in the survival of Glenburgie was assured.

Today, Glenburgie is under the ownership of Pernod Ricard, via their Scotch whisky arm, Chivas Brothers Holdings. Single malts are available under the Ballantine’s label and can be well priced but the best way to experience the distillery’s spirit is often through independent releases, like this Dràm Mòr expression.

Dràm Mòr Glenburgie 16-year-old Review

The whisky was aged for 16 years in a refill bourbon barrel before being bottled at 56.7%.

Tasting notes: On the nose there’s some nice spirit character, which, after 16 years is a sign of a well managed maturation. There’s fresh fruit and honeyed barley and a bit of straw and dry grass. Also, lemon air freshener, green olives and foam banana sweets. Furniture polish. It arrives on the palate with sweet caramel and runny honey. Toffee biscuits. A touch of dry oak with black pepper spice. Subtle woody finish.

Thoughts: Peppery and warming when sipped neat, though the heat is nicely balanced with sweetness and oak. Water brought more fruity notes to the nose and brought a lovely oiliness to the mouthfeel. Water is a big improvement, in fact. There’s still some spice but the liquid seems to flow over the palate better. A traditional style of dram – the spirit hasn’t been swamped by over-active oak, there’s just a nice balance between cask and spirit. Really enjoyable.

Price: £108 – not cheap certainly but for a single cask at 16 years it seems quite reasonable in the current market – especially when it’s such a good dram.

For more about Dràm Mòr visit here

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