Speyburn 10 Years Old 2014 Elevenses Whisky (Keeble Cask Company Ltd.)

This Speyburn was from the independent bottler Keeble Cask Company Ltd matured to 10 year old from 2014 and bottled at 50%. The outturn was 361 bottles. Set on the northern edge of Rothes in Speyside, Speyburn has distilled since 1897. One of the best selling malts abroad, it remains quietly under appreciated at home.

The spirit was run through onion shaped stills and worm tub condensers for a rounded make, to build a clean, orchard fruit character. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the fresh character to the fore. Still young, the malt is bright and fruity with a soft honey. A long fermentation builds the fruity esters before the spirit meets the cask. Bradan Orach, the distillery's youngest core malt, is Gaelic for golden salmon. Speyburn sits in a wooded glen on the edge of Rothes, one of Speyside's prettiest distilleries. Charles Doig, who designed it, invented the pagoda roof now seen across Scotch distilleries.

At its natural 50% it is concentrated. Orchard fruit and a floral lift sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. Beneath it run apple, honey and a soft spice. It finishes clean, fresh and fruity. This is the fresh face of Speyside whisky.