Speyburn 18 Year

Speyburn Distillery post-tour masterclass, 2nd May 2024, whisky #3 Nose: Lots of dark malt extract and Christmas cake aromas (dried fruit, cherries, raisins), oloroso sherry and rosewater. Beneath this there is a subtle foundation of fresh rye bread, tobacco and leather which expands when a little water is added. Palate: The arrival is soft but the mouth-feel gains a drying quality as the palate progresses. Dark chocolate, dried fruit, chewing tobacco and cinnamon appear in the development. There are spicy notes but despite its dry and slightly bitter qualities it always retains a touch of sweetness. High cocoa dark chocolate is a very good comparison. The texture is pleasant but not particularly full. Finish: Medium. The sweet notes from the palate win out in the end with milk chocolate, some orange oil, mild spices and a touch of gentle tannin in the aftertaste. Water adds a touch of hardness and I preferred this one neat. Although Strathisla is widely considered the most attractive distillery in Speyside, I think Speyburn is at least as pretty. It's located in a pleasant wooded valley below the road just north of Rothes and like Strathisla it retains its original pagoda-roofed kiln (although that is no longer operational). The old malting equipment is still in situ and it's a fascinating piece of industrial history. They also provide an excellent tour and tasting options. This 18 year old was my favourite dram of the tasting, as it was for a couple of the other participants, and it is usually around AUS$200 a bottle or less, which makes it good value. “Very Good” : 85/100 (4 stars)

Had this open about 2 months & have been enjoying it. Now down below label. This is an interesting whisky & it has taken me awhile to figure it out. Great abv at 46% & beautiful natural honey color & long thick legs. The nose is toffee & burnt sugar. Hard to describe but not subtle. The taste is immediate and intense toffee with mid palate of butter scotch & long spicy citrus grapefruit finish with good bit of oak. It’s complex, took awhile to open up & tastes different from other Speysides in my opinion. Cost was on par with 18 yo scotches in my area around 120$USD. Would buy again but I’ve only seen one bottle in multiple scotch buying hunts which is now sadly almost gone.

Speyburn 18 was released to commemorate the 18th anniversary of Bobby Anderson as the distillery manager. The colour is brownish amber colour with thick long legs slowly coming down the glass. The first thing that hit your nose is Toffee followed by tropical fruits with light smokiness. The palate brings the fruitiness to the forefront followed by peppery spiciness which leads to lasting and satisfying finish. The best thing is how it smoothly transits from nose to palate to finish, every part balanced and in harmony.

NOSE Strawberry shortcake, dry sherry, honied graham cracker, baking spice with pops of vanilla, copper and leather. Warm, sweet and a slightly earthy, this is a good aroma. PALATE Strawberry shortcake, dry sherry, cocoa, honied graham cracker, baking spice with pops of vanilla, spice, nuts and leather. A near carbon copy of the aroma, but with some coco and nuts and a lack of copper. FINISH Medium-long -> Fruity, malty, darkly sweet and a bit malty.

Neck pour. Similar to the 15 year, more refined. Rich and buttery, chocolate, raisins, nuts, vanilla, malt, barrel spices, less astringency than the 15, long spicy finish. Bottle kill. This is a nice sherried Speyside. Holds up pretty well against all the 18 y/o “Glens”. Bumped 1/4 point.

Smells deep and complex, and taste is to match. Tornado of flavors , that classic Speyside sweetness that I don't always like but I think the age carries it here. Less body than I'd like but the flavor journey is wonderful. Wood, fire, spice, sweet, everything you'd want.