Speyburn 10 Year

Update 2May 2024 I retasted this yesterday at the distillery and made identical notes to my original post here (see below) so there is no need to change anything, apart from the fact that I noted even more vanilla than before. This is a good malt for the price and one that should not be underestimated. I’m upgrading my rating slightly. “Good”: 83/100 (3.5 stars) ————————————————— Nose: Pear drops, apple, lemon, vanilla, malt and floral honey. There is a density and weight to the nose with hints of an aroma that is intriguing and reminiscent of lanoline. Palate: Soft malt and fruit. Creamy, almost buttery (butterscotch?) in the development with lemongrass, hazelnut, caramel and a good deal of sweet vanilla. It’s a very easy palate with good texture. There is a little hot ginger towards the finish. Finish: Medium. Fruity resolving to sweet earthy malt with citrus overtones. On the one hand this might seem a typically light, fruity Speysider, however there is a depth of profile to both the nose and palate that is less typical. While there are certainly fruity notes in abundance here this is fundamentally a malty profile, and it has much in common with Glen Grant. I hesitate to use the terms “gateway” or “beginner” in reference to any malt as it seems dismissive, implying that easy whisky is best reserved for serving to inexperienced palates. This is unfair as a less challenging whisky can be just as pleasant in the right context as any Mortlach or Springbank. That said, this is a comparatively straightforward expression that focuses on warm, soothing aromas and flavors. The character is generally soft but there is a slight spicy heat in the later palate. A good quaffing whisky that also works as a mixer, where the sweet vanilla and floral tones are highlighted and the spice edge cuts through. So yes, I would offer this to a novice … not because it is simple but because it is approachable and good. “Above Average”: 82/100 (3.25 stars)

The aroma is cleaner than Glen Grant, like fresh spring water. It's very light and subtle, pleasant enough to inhale deeply. Green apples stand out among the florals. These are crisp fruits that would snap when bitten. The abundance of apricot and peach notes makes you want to keep smelling it. Based on aroma alone, it deserves a high score. With a little air time after opening, it seems like it would be a great spirit for enjoying neat. The taste doesn't quite match the superb aroma, but it's a whiskey, so fruitiness in the taste is to be expected. A thin layer of grassy flavor coats the mouth, followed by subtle vegetal butter and honey, then a mild bitterness. The oak and bitterness are so faint, characteristic of a young spirit. The finish is less impactful than a 'jab,' reminiscent of clear spring water. It leaves a clean, mineralic, and mild oak aftertaste, like a freshly cleaned sink. A single sentence review: It would be fantastic for cocktails, utilizing its sweet fruit aroma. Recommended if you want to experience the purity and minerality of the Granty Burn spring water.

Nose was initially very much asleep but a couple of minutes and it sprung to life and once open you get apple, banana peel, honeysuckle and sweet vanilla. The vanilla is sweet like kids perfume. Fragrant would be the one word to sum it all up. Taste is sweet and almost like butterscotch and creamy....but very quickly jumping to lemon, coriander seeds and strong but not unpleasant ginger spice finish. It's all a bit over too quickly and almost seems in a hurry minus the lingering lemon and spice notes that do hang around. So in the end you do get a decent range of flavors and there are no rough edges as such but it is not outstanding minus being a little different. So, while it is fairly well balanced and approachable when all is said and done it fails to move the heart. Thanks to a friend for a sample PS: If you let it stay in the glass for a bit it will lose some of its sweet perfume qualities and becomes more like a traditional Speyside.

The aroma is dominated by fruit, with crisp, ripe fruit notes that aren't too advanced, such as pear and apple. It carries a fruit cocktail vibe, complete with a subtle cherry undertone and a shy citrusy lemon element. There's also a gentle sweetness from malt and honey, a floral heather character, and a delicate herbal or grassy touch, making it generally pleasing. The palate is light and smooth, initially showcasing those fruit flavors before evolving into a blend of toasted malt and toffee. The finish includes lemon, herbal, and grassy notes, accented by the slightest hint of pipe tobacco smoke. All things considered, it's excellent considering the cost, acquired for approximately $25. While not mind-blowing, it's definitely a respectable 10-year-old Speyside. Give it a shot; it's a solid choice to keep on hand for an occasional budget-friendly dram.

Revisiting this. It was my first scotch purchase about 5 years ago. It offers a 10-year age statement, no grain, and abundant flavor for under $20. Hard lemon candy, malt, and barrel wood come through with a hint of spice and smoke. A fantastic value single malt scotch. One might also detect sweet potato skins. It proves you don't need to spend a lot for drinkable scotch. My score increases from the previous review due to its incredible value... 80/100... While Monkey Shoulder, Naked Grouse, Johnnie Walker Black, and Dewar's 12 are superior, this is still an easy choice.

Appearance: A medium amber hue. Smell: Incredibly smooth and buttery with notes of sherry and dark fruit. Quite gentle and agreeable. Palate: A sweet introduction, followed by malt, earth, and grass. Progression: The sherry notes fade quickly, making way for toasted qualities. Then, hints of grilled meat appear. Malt remains, followed by a touch of bitterness. End: The finish is not long, offering minimal complexity, yet it retains some bitter malt and fruit rind. Impression: A very pleasing and mild dram. It's also a fantastic value. I'd argue it has comparable character to Glennfiddich 12 but costs $20 less.