Speyside SPEY 2011

An official single malt from the Speyside Distillery, a 6 year old release from 2011, drawn from cask 11 and bottled at 59.1%. Only 320 bottles were released. The Speyside Distillery was painstakingly built by hand before its first spirit in 1990 at Drumguish by the River Tromie; it gave the screen distillery Lagganmore in Monarch of the Glen. Short stills and a slow distillation are coaxed by hand towards a light, fruity spirit.

Distilled in two of the smallest pot stills in Scotland under a single roof, giving the delicate, floral spirit at its heart. Maturation in a Port cask lent plum and red berry. At this young age the spirit is fresh and light, the apple and pear bright. A patient maturation suits the soft, fruity Speyside character. Water is drawn from the River Tromie through the old mill lade and waterwheel.

At a full 59.1% it is intense yet fruity. The Port cask adds plum, red berry and raisin, and vanilla and a creamy note from the barrel, with apple, pear and heather honey. The mouthfeel is soft, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. Honey and orchard fruit see out a long finish. This is a fruity malt from one of Scotland's smallest distilleries.