Set close to the A96, near the village of Alves, lies Glenburgie Distillery which looks over the Moray Firth. The distillery was originally called Kilnflat tracing its history to 1810, although in 1878 after a period of disuse, it was renamed Glenburgie. Nearby is Burgie Castle, which dates back to the 16th century. The raw spirit from Glenburgie all goes to the Ballantines blend except for a small trickle that is bottled in Elgin under the Glenburgie 10YO label. This is a wonderful whisky aged in first fill sherry butts. To quote Jim Murray, “Stupendous! Classic aroma of over-ripe dates and mellow spices. Just so rare these days.” All single malts used to be aged in sherry casks, but as world drinking fashion changes from sherry to bourbon, American casks are so much cheaper than the Spanish ones and hence it is rare to find whiskies at this price aged and made in the traditional way. It is just so pleasing that the only bottling from this distillery as a single malt is still made with the rich Spanish oak. YUM.

Region: Speyside. Alves, Near Forres

Founded: 1829.

Water Source: Local springs.

A lesser-known Speysider full of character, subtle Sherry influence.