I am looking for a good session high D. I was impressed by the sample on the Burke web site of his session high D. It sounds to me like it has ample volume, fast transitions, and accurate upper register. Anyone have experience with one? Thanks.
burke is a great whistle in any key. i highly reccommend them.
For dependability, dead-on intonation, playability, and consistency, you cannot go wrong with a Burke.
Good luck in your choice.
Byll
Yes, truly, Burkes rock. 
I have a brass session bore Burke in D and it’s a very clear, pure sounding whistle. Very responsive and balanced.
I will likely own my Burke for life. It is my most played whistle.
Burke BRASS ‘D’ is fantastic. The aluminium is good as well but for me it lacks the life and rich tone colour of the brass.
I have Burke DBSBT and agree, that it is good for session.
But a sound on my taste too clean and snotty. Some notes, apparently, will consist all their one harmonic
Nevertheless it - oustanding whistle for good money!
PS: Now i wait Overton High D to replace Burke
My favorite soprano D whistle is the Clarke origional design and my second favorite is my Burke blacktip brass session pro (too “pure” in the second octave places it second).
That description is spot-on. A fine whistle. Some people find the tone a bit pure, but there are things you can do to add complexity. I prefer the sound and feel of aluminum to brass. I also prefer chocolate to vanilla.
DIE HERETIC!!!
Thanks for the replies folks. Chocolate is the choice. I find it easy to mess up a pure tone so that will not be a problem. Any opinions on the optional thumb hole. Will the hole cause more of the dreaded purity?
I don’t like the thumb hole. But I think that’s a matter of being an old dog not wanting to learn new tricks. It’s not where I’ve been putting my thumb for years, so it feels awkward.
That said, I reviewed an aluminum Burke with the thumb hole, and the c-natural using it was strong, and well in tune. Much better than cross-fingering. So if you can take to it, I’d say use it.
I have not played whistle for several years; mostly highland pipes during the interim, so the thumb hole does not pose a problem. Thanks for the insight; makes sense. Best.
Perhaps, perhaps not.
The thumb hole isn’t an octave above six fingers down on the chanter, it is below the index finger of the top hand and above the middle finger of the top hand.
It seems as if it would be pretty awkward for me, at least.
My Burke likes this fingering for C natural:
OXX OOX
I’d not want to learn that fingering (or thumbing I suppose) because it wouldn’t make for a smooth transition should you decide you like another whistle down the line that doesn’t have a thumb-hole option… I think being familiar with the various cross fingerings for Cnat would be time better spent, but that’s just me.
I have often wondered why none of the whistle makers make a whistle that uses GHB fingering, I.E. 7 holes in the front and a thumbhole. One of these days I may waste some of my brass tubing or pvc pipe and see what that would sound like. At least, it should be easier to tune as it would only play 9 notes in one octave.
And, it would sound better than the out of tune practice chanters I have tried.
I had rather learn those Scottish tunes on one of those rather than playing A mixupedolodean on a D whistle. That mode is just mind blowing.
You raise an excellent point. One would be without a paddle while attempting to play other make whistles.
I’ve recently made the transition from an Oak classic D (which wasn’t bad for a cheapie, I tweaked it some) to Burke Session High D and it is awesome! Excellent whistle. It really is as good as the sound samples. I highly recommend one. 
