Speyburn 17 Years Old 2005 (Old Malt Cask)

Hunter Laing bottled this Speyburn single malt, a 17 year old from 2005 and bottled at 50%. A release of 138 bottles. Founded in 1897 in the heart of Speyside at Rothes, Speyburn is a classic Speyside single malt. Traditional worm tub condensers are still used, giving a rounded, fragrant make.

The spirit was made in copper onion stills, the spirit cooled in worm tubs, for a fruity, honeyed make of real charm. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the fresh malt. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper dried fruit note. Sherry wood suits the make well, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. Water is drawn from the Granty Burn, a clear tributary of the Spey. Inver House runs Speyburn alongside Old Pulteney, Balblair and anCnoc. The name joins the Spey with the Scots word burn, for a Speyside stream.

Bottled at a cask strength 50%, it is rich. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and vanilla and a creamy note from the barrel runs under a clean, honeyed fruitiness. The mouthfeel is rounded, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. Honey and orchard fruit see out a long finish. This is a fruity Speysider from Rothes.