Glenburgie 2004 Single Cask
70cl / 53.3%
£179.00
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Speyside
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: No
Tasting Notes
Ripe Pears, Tangerines, Honey, Vanilla, Marmalade
Citruse, Apricot, Pepper, Persimmon
Medium FInish, Sour Lemons, Green Apples
If you like this whisky, you will also like these
A powerful, intensely sherried single cask release that offers unadulterated insight into the backbone of Ballantine's blend.
At-a-Glance
This bottling is a definitive single cask release from the Speyside region, sourced by a respected independent bottler, providing a rare, high-proof perspective on a distillery typically reserved for blending.
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Glenburgie Distillery / Cadenhead's (Independent Bottler) / Scotland, Speyside |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Cask |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 13 Years Old / Vintage 2004 / Bottled 2018 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 54.6% ABV / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Bourbon Hogshead (Cask n°1563) |
| Natural Colour | Assumed Natural Colour (Not stated by the producer but implied by Cadenhead's policy) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Assumed NCF (Implied by high ABV and Cadenhead's Authentic Collection status) |
| Cask Strength | Yes |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Highly Limited. One of 300 bottles (Cask 1563) |
| Intended channel | Specialist Independent Retail/Collector |
| Packaging | Cadenhead's Authentic Collection labelling, potentially with tube (Not stated by the producer) |
| Notes on discrepancies | Cask is labelled as Bourbon Hogshead but presents intensely sherried tasting notes, common in active single casks. |
Historical Context
Glenburgie Distillery plays an essential, industrial role in the Scotch whisky industry as a fundamental component of the globally popular Ballantine's blend. Due to this long-standing blending mandate, official single malt releases from the distillery itself are notably scarce.
This 2004 vintage bottling, selected and released by independent bottlers (IBs) like Cadenhead's in their premium Authentic Collection, circumvents the blending requirement. The release of this 13-year-old cask in 2018 is historically significant because it offers one of the few opportunities to taste the distillery's output from the 2000s era at an uncompromised, high proof. The very existence of this limited release, at just 300 bottles from a single cask, validates the quality of the spirit being produced at the distillery during that period.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The key technical feature of the Glenburgie 2004 releases is the stark contrast between the various independent bottlings, particularly concerning ABV and cask influence.
Documented variants
The highest specification for this vintage is represented by the Cadenhead's Authentic Collection. This bottling was aged for 13 years (2004–2018), released at a robust Cask Strength (CS) of 54.6% ABV, sourced from a single Bourbon Hogshead, Cask 1563. This release was highly limited, with an outturn of approximately 300 bottles.
In contrast, releases from Gordon & MacPhail (G&M) typically cater to a wider audience, such as the Connoisseurs Choice (14 YO, 46% ABV, often featuring a Sherry finish) and the Distillery Labels series (15 YO, reduced to 43% ABV).
A complex technical detail relates to the cask description of the Cadenhead's 54.6% release. Although explicitly labelled as a Bourbon Hogshead, the resulting tasting notes describe an intensely sherried profile, including notes of cacao, dark chocolate, and wine vinegar. This suggests a highly active and complex maturation.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Bottler/Series | Cask Type/Treatment | Age Statement |
| 54.6% | 70cl | Cadenhead's Authentic Collection | Bourbon Hogshead (Cask 1563) | 13 Years Old |
| 46% | 70cl | G&M Connoisseurs Choice | First-fill Bourbon / Sherry Finish | 14 Years Old |
| 43% | 70cl | G&M Distillery Labels | Ex-Bourbon/Refill Sherry (Estimate) | 15 Years Old |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
Authenticity hinges on verifying the specific details of the independent bottling. The label must explicitly state the Vintage (2004), the Bottling Year (2018), the Age (13 Years Old), the exact Cask Number (n°1563 is associated with 300 bottles), and the Cask Strength ABV (54.6%). The expected condition threshold is pristine, meaning the capsule seal must be intact and the fill level should be high (Into Neck). The provenance of the bottler, Cadenhead's, is a reliable mark of quality control.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The Cask Strength bottling at 54.6% ABV implies that the whisky has undergone minimal or no dilution, ensuring maximum concentration of flavour. The Cadenhead's Authentic Collection is generally considered to be Natural Colour and Non-Chill-Filtered, a standard preference among independent bottlers seeking to present the whisky in its purest form.2
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The flavour profile of the 54.6% Cadenhead's expression is notably intense, rich, and highly complex, characterized by heavy sherry-like notes despite the stated Bourbon cask maturation.
Nose: Intensely sherried with deep aromas of cacao, cherry, blackberry, and wine vinegar. This rich bouquet is layered with notes of lacquered wood, coffee, and a discernible whiff of smoke.
Palate: Powerful and full-bodied. Initial sweetness gives way to distinct sweet and sour cherries, raisins, and citrus. The development is complex, revealing notes of balsamico, dark chocolate, pronounced tannins, and surprisingly heavy earthy notes like mushrooms and sulphur.
Finish: Earthy and long-lasting, with flavour cues reminiscent of Schwarzwalder kirsch (Black Forest cherry gateau). Dominant notes include pecan nuts, dried herbs, residual sulphur, and a lingering hint of smoke.
With water: Necessary due to the 54.6% ABV. Dilution would be recommended to moderate the spicy attack and potentially integrate the rich, dark fruit notes more effectively, while addressing the underlying tannic and earthy notes.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
The single cask Glenburgie 2004 commands a strong price premium due to its scarcity and high technical specification. The Original RRP (GBP) was GBP 120.00. Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): A Glenburgie 13 Year Old 2004 Cadenhead's bottling sold for approximately GBP 145.00.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| Retail (RRP) | c. 2018 | Cadenhead's 13 YO, 54.6% ABV | 120.00 | Original Retail Price |
| Auction (Hammer) | Not Stated | Cadenhead's 13 YO, 54.6% ABV | 145.00 | Conversion from €170 hammer price |
| Auction (Hammer) | Not Stated | Cadenhead's 15 YO, 55.8% ABV (1993 Vintage) | 182.50 | Conversion from €213.50 hammer price |
Pricing stratification: Cask Strength single cask bottlings consistently outperform lower ABV vatted expressions of the same vintage. The strong, dark flavour profile of this specific cask contributes to its higher desirability.
Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is stable but limited by the extremely small outturn (300 bottles). Velocity is fast among single cask enthusiasts.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Glenburgie is a high-capacity Speyside distillery focused on providing the cornerstone malt for Ballantine's. Its single malt releases, managed predominantly by independent bottlers like Cadenhead's, are highly sought after because they offer the spirit in an unblended, often Cask Strength format. Cadenhead's is renowned for its commitment to high-proof, NCF releases, assuring liquid integrity.
Sourcing
Target formats/eras to prefer: Exclusively target the 2004 vintage single cask releases at Cask Strength (54.6% ABV or higher) from reputable IBs, particularly Cadenhead's Authentic Collection.
Red flags to avoid: Avoid misidentification with vatted or significantly reduced strength G&M bottlings of the same vintage (e.g., 43% ABV).
Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): Pristine condition is expected for this modern collectible. Fill level must be Into Neck (IN) with intact seals.
Margin/velocity expectations — qualitative: Strong velocity due to limited outturn and enthusiast demand. Reliable margin potential above the RRP.
