Speyburn 25 Years Old

This Speyburn, an official release matured to 25 year old and bottled at 46%. Speyburn was opened in 1897 by John Hopkin and Company on the northern edge of Rothes in Speyside; it is now an Inver House Speyside malt. Keen to date the first fillings to Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, the men ran the first spirit in a 1897 snowstorm.

The spirit was run through onion shaped stills and worm tub condensers for a rounded make, to build a clean, orchard fruit character. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the fresh malt. Beyond eighteen years the malt grows deep and honeyed, dried fruit and oak spice over orchard fruit. A long fermentation builds the fruity esters before the spirit meets the cask. It was the first Scottish distillery fitted with drum maltings, still preserved on site. Worm tub condensers are still used, lending the make a rounded, fragrant weight.

At 46% it is soft, honeyed and fragrant. The Fino lends a dry, nutty, almond edge, and green apple and a gentle spice sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. It is fresh and clean, the fruity spirit shining through. Apple, honey and oak draw out the close. This is Speyburn's bright, fragrant Speyside style.