The definition of an enigma: mysterious, puzzling or difficult to understand. Today we raise a glass to Robert Burns on Burns Day with this Enigma.

Glenlivet’s Enigma comes in a beautiful matte black bottle with a puzzle display in the front. They encourage you to solve the puzzle and share with them. It’s a no-age-statement whisky bottled at 60.6% abv. It’s matured in American Oak barrels and finished in ex-Canadian first fill Rye barrels.

Enigma, released in 2019, is the fourth bottle in the distillery’s mystery series. The other bottles in the series includes: Alpha (2013), Cipher (2015), Code (2018).

Nose: oak, cinnamon, sweetness and citrus
Palate: cherries, marzipan, spices and marshmallow
Finish: fruit and spices
Cost: we purchased at $109

I’ve read reviewers say Enigma is a bit harsh, I didn’t find that to be the case. Yes, it’s a strong whisky since it’s bottled at cask strength, but I found harsh to be a stretch.

The same day I bought this bottle I also picked up Highland Park Cask Strength Edition No. 1. The Edition No. 1 is bottled at 63.3% and this one is a lot harsher that Enigma in my opinion.

There is a slight burn and sweetness to this whisky that is fantastic. The burn is only momentary and then mellows out to notes of fruit, spices with hints of sweet marshmallow. Truthfully, I was really surprised in how much I enjoyed this whisky. I had it in my head that I wasn’t going to like it… which isn’t entirely inaccurate because I didn’t just like it, I loved it!

I do however think it’s a pricey bottle and this may not be for everyone so, I’d suggest you try before you buy. You know if bars ever open up again! Happy Burns Night!

Cheers!

Note: The contents on my blog are solely my opinion. To me every palate is different! Although I may or may not like a product, I always recommend for people to try it and make up their own minds.