Speyburn 10 Year

a lot of honey, sugar cookies and orange blossom on the nose. tobacco, dark caramel with a bitter toffee finish

Round 2 of our Scottish Distillery sampling team, this one provided by Scott. Can't beat the price---Hard to find a 10 yr old Highlander at this price. I think a few years ago, I would've loved this. But my palette has been forever ruined by an assault on senses from the likes of Lagavulin, Laphroaig, and Ardbegs...so personally I found this bland. This would make a perfect gift for my BudLight loving cousins. Thanks for the sample Scott, and the Christmas gift idea!!

Stop number 25 on the SDT is Speyburn. This Highland distillery is by and large sold as a blending component, but has a handful of expressions sold as single malts. This 10 year old is their youngest that carries an age statement. 43% ABV and most likely chill filtered. If there is colorant added it would be minimal as it is a yellow gold color and it lacks the telltale fake orange glow most colored scotches have. The nose starts out with light citrus notes of lemongrass and lime leaves, shifting to underripe apples and pears. A fair amount of vanilla and some noticeable bourbon qualities. Noticeable, but not intense. Light brown sugar and sherry notes like raisins and dates. Floral honey and melon and a bit of candied pineapple. I also got the strange sensation of lightly salted, unbuttered popcorn. Unexpected, but very interesting. It's got some complexity to the nose, but it's not overly appealing and kind of boring. The palate has lots of vanilla and honey and a malty character. Bourbon notes more than sherry, but still there is some sherry making itself known. Apples, pears, cinnamon, allspice and light oak. Light peppery spice. Possibly some mango and pineapple. This is one of those rare occasions where, for me anyway, the palate delivers beyond what the nose indicates. Like the nose though, it's nothing to get too excited about. The mouthfeel is light bodied, thin but somewhat oily and mouthwatering. The finish is surprisingly long. Honey and vanilla with some oak and spice. This is a typical Highland/Speyside malt, but more subdued on the nose. The palate is nice though. Probably a mix between first and second fill casks. It's not something I would seek out, but for around $30 it's hard to question its value as a gift or as something to keep around for the casual scotch drinking friend who might stop by. I'd give it a 3 if it were more than $40, but for the price it gets a 3.25. Thanks to Scott for the sample. Cheers