A quartet of OB Balvenie and IB Burnside


May 9, 2025

A quartet of
OB Balvenie and IB Burnside

There’s never been any proof that Burnside blended malts were teaspooned with Glenfiddich or Kininvie, but the AI had no trouble illustrating the process. We believe it's not far from the truth – we've always suspected the Dufftown Scrabble Club had a hand in it…

Balvenie 12 yo ‘Golden Cask’ (43%, OB, +/-2024)

Ex-bourbon cask, but alas, finished in rum-seasoned wood. A real pity—we love Balvenie in natural ex-bourbon, but you never know, perhaps they didn’t use Don Papa this time... Colour: gold. Nose: well now, the classic young Balvenie style is here—cake, quince, mirabelle, vanilla and acacia honey—and the rum stays relatively discreet. Likely not Hampden, probably Cuban as usual? Mouth: no, this is good, definitely, very easy, very soft but not without backbone, with honeyed touches beyond the assorted plums and ripe apple, plus a few earthy hints—maybe that’s the rum speaking. Also a bit of banana, though ripe banana does appear in Balvenie without the need for added rum. Finish: not very long but pleasant, more herbaceous and honeyed at once. Only the aftertaste is a little bitter—what a wee shame. Comments: ultra-decent.
SGP:551 - 83 points.

Balvenie 15 yo ‘Madeira Cask’ (43%, OB, +/-2024)

This too is simply a Madeira finish, but we know that Madeira and malt whisky can do a proper Jagger/Richards. Colour: gold. Nose: oh indeed, Madeira and malt, this works. Really charming, almost coastal, with lovely roasted pistachios and walnuts, a hint of camphor, driftwood, seaweed, mustard-and-sesame crackers (utterly killer) and a few little cider apples. A very pretty nose, well done. Mouth: this is really good, with hints of damp soil, tobacco, still those killer crackers, plus a few truly dry raisins and black tea. Very amusing salty touches. Finish: not eternal but always fresh and saline, with those nut/mustard combinations typical of some Madeiras. Comments: a smart finishing. If only this kind of stunt encouraged the uninitiated to take a closer interest in proper Madeira!
SGP:462 - 86 points.

And now, let’s talk…

Sideburn 31 yo 1992–1993/2025 (53.6%, Decadent Drams, Decadent Drinks, 1st fill and refill bourbon, 461 bottles)

The chap on the label reminds us a little of the singer from Slade, doesn’t he? Cum on Feel the Noise… I mean the Nose… Colour: light gold. Nose: very emblematic—mirabelles, apples, quince, vanilla, not-too-ripe banana and tiny hints of mint and sorrel. With water: a marvellous ocean of yeasts and beer notes, softened by vanilla. Mouth (neat): beyond the zestiness, there’s a green, almost brutal side that’s a little unusual for Balvenie and calls instantly for water—so here we go Balvenie, Cuz I Luv You... With water: yes, there we are, it feels almost 1970s in style. I’m serious. Yellow fruits, stones, little herbs, Wulong tea, chamomile, quinces… Finish: just the same, and it goes on for quite a while. Comments: not an ultra-demonstrative baby, but this blended malt couldn’t be any closer to the natural house style of its main distillery (that’s right, that’s right...)
SGP:551 - 89 points.

Burnside 35 yo 1989/2025 (53.8%, Le Gus’t, fino cask, cask #3912, 310 bottles)

Listen closely—it would seem this is the oldest Burnside ever bottled. And what’s more, it’s from a fino sherry cask, so perhaps we’ll get some flor? Fresh walnuts for sure… Colour: light gold. Nose: one stops, reflects, and yes, the core profile of the base distillery is right here, enhanced with delicate fino touches. So, green walnuts and watercress, mingled with apples and quinces, a little damp ash, faint whiffs of eucalyptus, and a very fine flint-and-chalk combo. Superb freshness after 35 years—the joy of casks that know how to behave. With water: same again, just with a little more cut grass. Mouth (neat): oh excellent! Mint, camphor, mirabelles, apricots and quinces. The perfect improbability of an old refill cask—magic triumphing over technique (yes, S.). With water: a full arrival of tinned fruits—greengages, peaches, pears, grapes, papayas… All of it carried by beautifully elegant bitterness. Finish: long but now more restrained again, herbal, austere. In short, it had already said what it came to say. Comments: very elegant, not at all extravagant. Nothing more to add.
SGP:561 - 90 points.

Check the index of all Balvenie we've tasted so far