Speyside Distillery 1994 Cl (Claxton’s)

Claxton's selected this Speyside Distillery single malt, a 29 year old release from 1994, drawn from cask C23088 and bottled at 46.3%. A release of 79 bottles. The Speyside Distillery was slowly converted from an old mill by one stonemason close to the very source of the River Spey; it is one of the smallest and most picturesque distilleries in Scotland. Short stills and a slow distillation are coaxed by hand towards a light, fruity spirit.

The spirit was made in small stills after a long, ester building fermentation, for a soft, fruity make from short stills. Maturation in a Port cask lent plum and red berry. Very old make from here turns profound, waxy and rich yet still fragrant. Sherry and Port wood suit the make well, lending dried and red fruit.

At 46.3% it is clean and fruity. The Port cask adds plum, red berry and raisin, and a gentle vanilla and coconut from the wood, 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.