Speyburn 1989/2013 Gordon & MacPhail
I seriously don’t know what to tell you about Speyburn. I really don’t have any feelings towards this unknown Speysider. Neither positive or negative. It’s not exactly first on my list of distilleries whenever I go out to buy new whisky. Luckily for me, Gordon & MacPhail sent me a sample of one of their Speyburn bottlings as part of their Wood Makes the Whisky-campaign. I’m thankful they did, because it showed me I should always keep trying new stuff.
Speyburn 1989/2013 (46%, Gordon & MacPhail, Connoisseurs Choice)
Nose: Sweet breakfast cereals, almonds and malted barley, followed by a more fruitier side. Pineapple and mango. A hint of thyme.
Taste: Milk chocolate with mild orange juice. Spices, mainly aniseed, but not very distinctive. Finally some toasted oak and lemon.
Finish: Fruity with menthol. Medium in length.
Rating: 87
Well, this is actually really enjoyable. Subtle and enough complexity to refrain from becoming boring. Balanced as well. This didn’t disappoint.
Sample provided by Gordon & MacPhail
Thijs is a spirits writer and accredited liquorist from The Netherlands. He runs the blog Words of Whisky and contributes to a number of Dutch and international publications.
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