Speyburn Bradan Orach

Tasting this was exclusively the result of my mom asking for a "good scotch" for Christmas, which my brain automatically translated as "the cheapest single malt I can get my Scroogie little hands on". At $20 a bottle (which I patiently waited to go on sale to $18), this was easily the one. I didn't really know what to expect going into this, but little did I know just how unusual it was going to be. The nose can be summarized like this: honey and...agave somehow. This feels like nosing a tequila, and I can't even begin to explain why. The bottle notes mention green apple and lemon, so maybe I'm misinterpreting that. Who knows? In any case, its youth makes itself known right away, with a bit of heat shoving its way through the initial flavors. Among these are the same honey-agave but with a slight herbal character, black tea with lemon, and unburnt tobacco. Medium-length finish, but heat is left on the tongue for quite some time, despite its low ABV. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that there are probably better blends out there at this price. Other than some honey and weird-ass fruit, this is not a very good representation of a highland malt, or even a whisky for that matter. However, as the recipient proudly stated that she could indeed distinguish the taste of this from a bourbon, the guilt of not spending an extra $10 on the age statement seemed to just melt away. Maybe next time...or maybe Monkey Shoulder instead.

​ Tobermory 증류소의 소유주인 존 홉킨스가 1897년 설립 ​ 로시스 북부 외곽 스페이사이드 지역에 위치 ​ 스페이(Spey) 강의 지류 중 하나인 그랜티 번(Burn)의 샘물을 유일하게 사용 ​ 가파른 계곡에 지어져서 새로운 형태의 증류소를 디자인 ​ 세계대전 중간 중간 포병연대 본거지로 사용되다가1991년 인버하우스(아녹, 올드폴티니, 발블레어 등)에 의해 인수합병 ​ ​ *2020년 4월 포브스 기고에 따르면 미국에서 9번째로 잘 팔리는 싱글몰트 스카치 위스키라고 함 (그럼에도 미국에서조차 잘 알려져있지 않음) ​ ​ ​ *브라단 오락 = 황금 연어 40% ex버번 캐스크 숙성 ​ ​ ​ 🌑향 : 커티샥에서 느꼈었던 쇠구슬, 금속성, 메탈류의 향이 느껴집니다. 10~20분정도 에어링을 시켰지만 알코올이 중간정도로 느껴집니다. 아주 저숙성의 거친 알콜은 아니지만, 그래도 대체로 NAS들의 알콜감정도 입니다. ​ 덜익은 사과, 레몬껍질, 상큼한 시트러스가 느껴져서 가볍게도 느낄 수 있지만, 케이크나 빵류의 두터운 향이 전체적으로 중심을 잡아줍니다. ​ ​ ​ 🌗맛 : 달콤한 맛이 부드럽게 들어오는데, 왠지 그랜티 번 샘물의 부드러움이 느껴지는 듯 합니다. 아주 가볍지는 않고 질감도 3~4/10 정도의 미끄덩한 오일리가 있는데, 그러면서도 블렌디드만큼 부드럽기도 합니다. ​ 보통 향과 맛이 가벼우면 질감도 가볍기 마련인데 약간 새로운 느낌입니다. ​ 꿀과 바닐라가 은은하지만 명확하게 느껴지고, 기대이상의 스파이시함이 다가옵니다. ​ ​ ​ 🌕피니쉬 : 쌉쌀한 레몬껍질 노트가 옅지만 중간정도는 지속됩니다. ​ ​ ​ 🌎한줄평 : *3-4만원 선이라면 니트, 온더락, 하이볼 등 다양한 시도를 해볼만한 보틀 *탈리스커같은 거물급 가성비보틀은 아니어도, 가격대비 믿고 마실만한 향과 맛을 갖추고 있음

Saw this on sale for $19. I had the 10 year and liked it so gave this a shot. Neat, ok legs and glass coat. Nose is lemon drops and honey with rich malt. Palate has thick malt, more honey and light candied fruit. Finish is fairly long with tasty malt drying slowly to oak. This is more refined and has more body than the 10 year. I am extremely impressed with the quality and flavor here. Very smooth and drinkable with little heat yet still robust maltiness. For under $20 this is a slam dunk. Will absolutely purchase again 85/100......fantastic value imo Update: latest bottle I purchased was not as good. Had some bitterness to the finish and lacked robust flavor as before. Still good for money but gotta lower score 78/100

The nose presents ripe nectarines and white peach flesh. Light vanilla and a floral note waft in as well. On the pallette peaches and cream are the big notes right off the bat. A bit of a cinnamon spice is there along with an oaky bitterness. Fairly tannic. The finish is a single long and lingering thread of dry cinnamon spice. It does give way late to a general earthiness that is quite pleasant. Like the after taste of wild mushrooms eaten some time ago. Not overly complex but just the right amount of intrigue to be interesting without demanding too much attention. As my first Speyburn it has definitely piqued my interest to explore more offerings.

Very light and simple and quite enjoyable example of a classic speyside single malt. Light golden colour, rich creamy vanilla and fresh apples to the nose. Same to the tongue. Again very light, sweet, a bit “watery” perhaps, almost without any of spiritous hints. Finish is also sweet with fruity hints and oak on a palate; not very long yet satisfying. These all make it a simple but still a gentle and a pleasant whisky - a one to drink from day to day but definitely not to keep it as a part of a solid collection. I may call it quite similar to the Glenlivet Founders Reserve.

Sugary vanilla bourbon notes on the nose. A little bit of lemon zest flying in and out through your nose just to tell you I am here. All the lovely notes above goes in and you actually would expect the same thing as you take a sip. However, there is a strong lignins, tannins and some spices come into play which eventually over power the whole thing. But to be honest it is not a bad thing as it's not boring. For its price I would say this can be one of my daily cheap drinks including The famous grouse and monkey shoulder..etc