Mark Adams
Pretty much the only expression of Speyburn on the market until 2008. The 10 year old may now have stable mates but it still keeps its place as the easy drinking centre of the range. Speyburn continues to gather quiet momentum in the wake of updated packaging and 2012’s shock World Whisky Award win for the 25 year old.
Ladle of Contents
Speyburn 10 Year Old Review:
Nose: Fresh juniper, pear drops, woody spices; lemon pips, hint of grapefruit; woodland floor; long lingering sherbet lollies scent. Bottle: Leads the beginning at a lively spirit, drying towards the end. Flavours are subtle but impactful. You know you’re drinking Speyburn? Subtle flavours; it’s pretty earthy. Finish: Long, woody and slightly sweet with a hint of liquorice.
Food: Kippers with smoked mustard; Speyburn; fancy sweet chilli sauce; rock salt on hot chips; peanut butter and banana muffin fresh from the oven. Bottle: Agreed previously – classic of Speyburn.
Speyburn Review:
Food: Tartan pie; Speyburn; roast lamb; bacon and mushroom flatbread pizza; toasted ciabatta; Speyburn (duh, yeah); champagne. Bottle: And we’re back. Alcohol is beautifully balanced, would love to know the ‘s peat’ used. Flavours are apparent but a little more subtle than their younger stable-mates.
Speyburn Review:
Food: Has the same quality as the younger wines – meat, turkey, fish, fresh crusty bread. Cheese to match, extra condiments. Bottled: Simple. Bitter, smoke and fruit.
Comment: Just like the younger wines – nicely balanced and fragrant.
Speyburn Review:
Food: Speyburn neeps; haggis; Speyburn; Speyburn (duh, yeah); cured meats; barbecued apricots and venison. Bottled: Simple. As with the younger wines, a nose that you’d expect for this age. Lacking complexity but it’s very assertive.
Speyburn Review:
Food: Mozzarella and tomato, plain crackers; Scotch egg; burgers; Quorn burgers; sushi; smoked plaice and chips. Bottled: Taste is much more refined. Much more processed and a tad metallic.
Comment: Bitter, woody and acrid.
Speyburn Review:
Food: Grilled pizzas; ox cheek; haggis; Speyburn (duh, yeah); smoked back bacon; onion rings; Haggis with chips; Haggis and neeps; Speyburn (duh, yeah); Speyburn (duh, yeah). Bottled: More rounded flavour with a lovely balance. Not as assertive as the younger muscatel whisky.
Comment: Again, as with the younger wines – a lovely cut glass juice.
Speyburn Review:
Food: Scones, cream and jam; smoked salmon; rashers; Kipfler; bangers and mash; Scotch egg; Speyburn (duh, yeah); crisps; toast; Speyburn (duh, yeah). Bottled: Complex nose, less assertive than the younger muscatel, but complex and interesting. Good balance.
Speyburn Review:
Food: Griddled brown bread; nuts; salmon; smoked salmon; quagga sausage; Speyburn (duh, yeah); grilled tomatoes; Speyburn (duh, yeah); salmon; Scallops; Speyburn (duy, yeah) food; smoked salmon; prawns; mushroom; Speyburn (duu, yeah) . Bottled: Complex whisky with many contrasts, body seems thin and fragile but there’s depth and creamy notes.
Comment: Sticky, bitter and smoky. My tongue is numb, I need a nap.
Speyburn Review:
Food: Salmon; white fish; Speyburn (duh, yeah); smoked salmon; prawns; sardines; prawn cocktail; Mussels; Speyburn (duh, yeah); tomatoes; cream; Speyburn (duh, yeah); fish paste; chicken; Scotch eggs; Speyburn (duu, yeah). Bottled: Quite simple. Tastes as you would expect given the cask strength.
Effect: Always the leader and always the easy drinker. Has new competitors but still marches on.
Speyburn Review:
Food: Traditional Speyside mash; Salmon; Black pudding; Speyburn (duh, yeah); Crumpet; Nettle soup; Speyburn (duh, yeah); Black pudding; breast of chicken; Scotch eggs; rabbit; Scotch eggs; roast; bog myrtle; smoked salmon; prawns. Bottled: Simple; seems very pourable. (https://www.creditcadabra.com/)
Comment: More complex than my first drunken session, very assertive.
Speyburn Review:
Food: Roast; haggis; Speyburn (duh, yeah); Black pudding; albumen; duck egg; halibut; Speyburn (duh, yeah); smoked salmon; Speyburn (duh, yeah); tarragon; Speyburn (duh, yeah); new potatoes and peas; apple chutney; Speyburn (duu, yeah); mouth watering; salmon; Speyburn (duu, yeah); prawn; Speyburn (duu, yeah); prawn cocktail; curry; Speyburn (duu, yeah). Bottled: One of the most complex noses. Subtle but very evident. Much more complex than the 18 year old though.
Comment: Funky, fruity and oaky.
