New Release: Glenburgie 1997-2015 17 Year GM RESERVE Whisky for THE WHISKY HOOP #8577

A surprising fruity character. *Note: The photo is from my home bottle as I forgot to take a picture. Glenburgie GLENBURGIE 1997-2015 17yo GM RESERVE for THE WHISKY HOOP #8577 56.2% One of 189 bottles, Refill Bourbon Barrel The aroma is elegant and fruity, with notes of peach, pear, orange, vanilla, strong oak, coconut, cream, and a fresh graininess from the depth. On the palate, it starts smooth with a gradual spicy warmth, remaining strongly fruity with peach and pineapple, ripe orange, balanced sweetness and acidity of fruits, strong oak, and tannins that tighten the flavor. A long, fruity, oily finish lingers in the mouth. [Good/Very Good] This Glenburgie 1997, aged for 17 years, was released in February by THE WHISKY HOOP as a GM Reserve label. From the very first sniff, it's quite elegant, with a strong presence of fruity notes like peach and nectarine. Notes of orange, vanilla, oak, and coconut—characteristic of bourbon barrel aging—are clearly felt. Upon tasting, a gradual high-proof stimulation is sensed, but the peachy fruity character remains strong, with an added pineapple-like impression. The balance of fruity sweetness and acidity is pleasant, the oakiness is strong but lacks the raw wood bitterness, with tannins merely tightening the flavor. The long, slightly oily fruity finish was also enjoyable. Unexpectedly elegant in its fruitiness compared to the specs, this Glenburgie has a strong bourbon barrel nuance but lacks the typical raw wood-like characteristics often found in such styles, likely due to being a second-fill, resulting in a pleasant drinking experience. Additionally, while recent fruity malts often carry chemical nuances, this one is free of such elements, making for an excellent finish. Overall, it feels more like a release from Shin'ya rather than THE WHISKY HOOP, but it's nice when they occasionally offer something like this.