Speyburn 44 Years Old 1977 Cask #6045101 (Private Collection)

Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail, this Speyburn, aged 44 year old from 1977, drawn from cask 6045101 and bottled at 59.2%. A release of 414 bottles. Speyburn, first built in 1897 on the northern edge of Rothes in Speyside, was designed by the pagoda architect Charles Doig. 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. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Decades leave it deep and oxidative, honeyed wax and dried fruit with a soft spice. A long fermentation builds the fruity esters before the spirit meets the cask. One of the best selling malts abroad, it stays quietly under appreciated at home.

At its natural 59.2% it is concentrated. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and green apple and a gentle spice sit alongside soft vanilla and honey from the cask. Soft orchard fruit and vanilla sit behind the sweetness. The close is soft, fruit over gentle oak. This is Speyburn's bright, fragrant Speyside style.