Speyburn 15 Years Old 2009 (SMWS 88.29)

This is a Speyburn single malt, chosen and bottled by Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a 15 year old release from 2009, drawn from cask 88.29 and bottled at 55.7%. Speyburn was founded in 1897 by the Hopkins brothers on the northern edge of Rothes in Speyside, and it still runs Charles Doig's 1897 distillery. Inver House runs it alongside Old Pulteney, Balblair and anCnoc.

The spirit was run through onion shaped stills and worm tub condensers for a rounded make, to build a clean, orchard fruit character. Maturation came in American oak, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper dried fruit note. Worm tub condensing gives a fuller, faintly sulphury new make that matures into a delicate, fragrant fruit. Worm tub condensers are still used, lending the make a rounded, fragrant weight. The first spirit ran in a December snowstorm in 1897, to date the fillings to the Diamond Jubilee.

At a full 55.7% it is intense yet fragrant. Fragrant honey and ripe fruit meet soft vanilla and honey from the cask. A ripe pear and a gentle spice lift it. A fruity, gently spiced finish lingers long. This is an easy going, honeyed Speyside malt.