Saturday, 21 February 2026

Glenburgie 1998 High Spirits To Celebrate Mr Stefano Cremaschi 40th Birthday 21 yo

 
 
 
53,6°
Distillery : Glenburgie - Speyside
Bourbon Cask 
Independent Bottling 
By High Spirits' Collection
Limited Edition 
Single Cask 
Bottled in 2019
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength
Totally Unpeated 
 
 
 
I was completely unfamiliar with High Spirits' Collection, an independent Italian bottler founded in Rimini by Nadi Fiori at the end of the last century. Nadi Fiori has been in the whisky business for over forty years now, and it's fair to say that his products are often rare and exceptional. Here we have a 21-year-old Glenburgie distilled in 1998, distributed to celebrate Stefano Cremaschi's birthday, and what a wonderful gift that is. The nature of the cask is not specified, but based on the profile of the whisky, I would guess that it is a Bourbon Cask. Only 80 bottles in total were released, 40 of 750 cl and 40 Magnums of 1500 cl. I had access to one of these magnums.
 
 
 

Let's Taste It : 
On the nose, beautiful springtime richness, dew at dawn in a damp and leafy landscape, fairly rich floral tones, wood wax, liquid honey, white plums, juicy pears, macerated almonds, yellow apples, slices of melon. On the palate, it is very oily, olive oil, lychee juice, rose Turkish delight, creamy vanilla, orange zest, quince jam, roasted pineapple, then spices settle into green tea, cardamom and pepper. Very long and herbal finish, grapefruit and honey, calissons d'Aix, white grapes, a pinch of salt.
 
In Short, 
A beautiful expression, where fruit is prominent but topped with delicate, oily notes of rose and almond. I think this is an excellent whisky, and what's more, the bottle had only just been opened when I tasted it, so I'm sure it will blossom and become even better. The price is of course significant, especially as it is a rarity and sold out everywhere, but it is one for collectors and die-hard enthusiasts. 
Score : 90
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 
 
                                           No Clear Mind - When You're Not Here

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