Speyside Distillery 1991 (Small Batch) (51%)

A Speyside Distillery single malt, selected and bottled by Cadenhead's, a 25 year old from 1991 and bottled at 51%. 624 bottles in all. Set at Drumguish by the River Tromie, the Speyside Distillery was painstakingly built by hand before its first spirit in 1990. Water comes from the River Tromie, drawn through the old mill lade that once turned the waterwheel.

Distilled in two of the smallest pot stills in Scotland under a single roof, giving the delicate, floral spirit at its heart. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the fruit lead. At a quarter century and more it is rich and waxy, candied fruit, honey and old oak over a fragrant base. A patient maturation suits the soft, fruity Speyside character. Short stills and slow, hands on distillation coax a light, fruity spirit. The site was a working barley mill from the 1700s until 1965. A long fermentation builds the fruity esters that mark the house style.

Undiluted at 51%, it is layered. Vanilla and a creamy note from the barrel, with pear, honey and a fragrant lift. The texture is light and rounded, the fruit lifted by honey. A warming, fruity finish lingers. This is the hand built malt of Drumguish.