Speyburn 18 Year

Speyburn Distillery post-tour masterclass, May 2nd, 2024, whisky #3 Nose: Abundant dark malt extract and Christmas cake aromas (dried fruit, cherries, raisins), oloroso sherry, and rosewater. A subtle foundation of fresh rye bread, tobacco, and leather lies beneath, expanding with a little water. Palate: The arrival is gentle, but the mouthfeel becomes drier as the palate develops. Dark chocolate, dried fruit, chewing tobacco, and cinnamon emerge. Spicy notes are present, but despite its dry and slightly bitter qualities, it always maintains a hint of sweetness. High cocoa dark chocolate is a very fitting comparison. The texture is pleasing but not particularly substantial. Finish: Medium. The sweet notes from the palate ultimately prevail with milk chocolate, some orange oil, mild spices, and a touch of gentle tannin in the aftertaste. Adding water introduces a bit of harshness; I preferred this one neat. While Strathisla is generally regarded as the most picturesque distillery in Speyside, I find Speyburn to be at least as attractive. It's situated in a lovely wooded glen below the road just north of Rothes and, like Strathisla, retains its original pagoda-roofed kiln (though it's no longer operational). The old malting equipment remains in place, making it a fascinating piece of industrial history. They also offer excellent tours and tasting experiences. This 18-year-old was my favorite dram of the tasting, as it was for several other attendees, and it typically costs around AUD$200 or less, representing good value. "Very Good": 85/100 (4 stars)

This bottle has been open for about two months, and I've liked it. It's now below the label. It's a fascinating spirit, and it took me some time to understand it. It boasts a solid 46% ABV and a lovely natural honey hue with substantial, viscous legs. The aroma presents toffee and caramelized sugar. It's hard to put into words, but it's not understated. The flavor is an immediate, powerful toffee, followed by butterscotch at mid-palate, and concludes with a lengthy, zesty grapefruit finish tinged with considerable oak. It's intricate, required time to develop, and tastes distinct from other Speysides, in my view. The price was comparable to 18-year-old Scotches locally, around $120 USD. I'd purchase it again, but I've only encountered one bottle during numerous searches for Scotch, and sadly, it's nearly depleted.

Speyburn 18 was launched to celebrate the 18th anniversary of Bobby Anderson's tenure as distillery manager. It has a brownish amber color with thick, slow-moving legs down the glass. The initial aroma is toffee, followed by tropical fruits with a light smokiness. The palate brings the fruitiness forward, followed by peppery spice, leading to a lasting and satisfying finish. Its greatest strength is the smooth transition from nose to palate to finish, with each component balanced and harmonious.

NOSE Strawberry shortcake, dry sherry, honeyed graham cracker, baking spice with bursts of vanilla, copper, and leather. A pleasant aroma that is warm, sweet, and slightly earthy. PALATE Strawberry shortcake, dry sherry, cocoa, honeyed graham cracker, baking spice with bursts of vanilla, spice, nuts, and leather. Almost identical to the aroma, but with added cocoa and nuts, and no copper. FINISH Medium-long -> Fruity, malty, darkly sweet, and somewhat grainy.

Initial pour. Similar to the 15-year, but more refined. Rich, buttery, with notes of chocolate, raisins, nuts, vanilla, malt, and barrel spices. Less tartness than the 15-year, with a long spicy finish. Finished the bottle. This is a pleasant sherried Speyside. It holds its own against many 18-year-old Speyside whiskies. Improved slightly.

Deep and complex aroma, matched by the taste. A whirlwind of flavors, with that typical Speyside sweetness I don't always favor, but the age elevates it here. Lacks some body, yet the flavor experience is fantastic. Wood, fire, spice, sweetness – it has it all.