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Speyburn 10 yo Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky, Metal tube packaging, 750ml, 86 proof, $20-25, available nationwide.
Started in 1897 for the princely sum of £17,000 Speyburn managed to produce one barrel in time for Queen Victoria's Silver Jubilee. It didn't come easy as the distillery wasn't quite finished yet having no doors or windows. The snow storm on that first distilling day had the men inside working in all of their winter coats, hats and scarves but on December 15th, 1897 the first barrel was filled and bonded.
Speyburn was the first distillery to use a drum malting system, using a set of rotating drums filled with barley instead of spreading it out on the floor as was common practice. In 1968 the owners, United Distillers, stopped that practice and went to a central malting system. Things moved slowly for Speyburn but they remained open continuously suppling whisky for blends and keeping an eye on costs. It was the 1950's before they replaced their horse cart with a tractor! Never enlarged it still has the same two stills (one wash, one spirit) in use producing 2,700,00 liters a year mostly for Inver House blends with a very small percentage going to their single malts. Speyburn is currently the number 9 best selling single malt whisky in the USA.
Pale straw yellow in the glass the nose is a nice blending of malt, citrus and honey which gives high expectations of the tasting to follow. The first taste is slightly drying with a light maltiness before a good dose of mid-palete spice and a bit of sweetness. The finish continues the spicy notes of the tasting before drying out a little. It lasts for a medium length of time.
Overall not a bad little dram, especially at the lower end of the price range. This would be good as a pre-meal scotch since it isn't big or complex enough for after dinner contemplation. A nice drink for a low price. Sometimes that's all you need.
Started in 1897 for the princely sum of £17,000 Speyburn managed to produce one barrel in time for Queen Victoria's Silver Jubilee. It didn't come easy as the distillery wasn't quite finished yet having no doors or windows. The snow storm on that first distilling day had the men inside working in all of their winter coats, hats and scarves but on December 15th, 1897 the first barrel was filled and bonded.
Speyburn was the first distillery to use a drum malting system, using a set of rotating drums filled with barley instead of spreading it out on the floor as was common practice. In 1968 the owners, United Distillers, stopped that practice and went to a central malting system. Things moved slowly for Speyburn but they remained open continuously suppling whisky for blends and keeping an eye on costs. It was the 1950's before they replaced their horse cart with a tractor! Never enlarged it still has the same two stills (one wash, one spirit) in use producing 2,700,00 liters a year mostly for Inver House blends with a very small percentage going to their single malts. Speyburn is currently the number 9 best selling single malt whisky in the USA.
Pale straw yellow in the glass the nose is a nice blending of malt, citrus and honey which gives high expectations of the tasting to follow. The first taste is slightly drying with a light maltiness before a good dose of mid-palete spice and a bit of sweetness. The finish continues the spicy notes of the tasting before drying out a little. It lasts for a medium length of time.
Overall not a bad little dram, especially at the lower end of the price range. This would be good as a pre-meal scotch since it isn't big or complex enough for after dinner contemplation. A nice drink for a low price. Sometimes that's all you need.
