Speyside SPEY 18 Years Old

An official single malt from the Speyside Distillery, an 18 year old Speyside malt from 1997 and bottled at 46%. The outturn was 1800 bottles. Painstakingly built by hand before its first spirit in 1990 at Drumguish by the River Tromie, the Speyside Distillery is one of Scotland's smallest. Water comes from the River Tromie, drawn through the old mill lade that once turned the waterwheel.

Distilled in two of the smallest pot stills in Scotland under a single roof, giving the delicate, floral spirit at its heart. A sherry cask wrapped the fruity spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Beyond sixteen years the malt grows deep and honeyed, dried fruit and oak spice over orchard fruit. A patient maturation suits the soft, fruity Speyside character. Set in the Cairngorm foothills, it counts among Scotland's prettiest distilleries.

At an approachable 46% it is light and balanced. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and vanilla and a creamy note from the barrel, with pear, honey and a fragrant lift. The texture is light and rounded, the fruit lifted by honey. The finish runs fresh, soft and fragrant. This is the hand built malt of Drumguish.