Speyside Distillery 1994 MrW (Mr.Whisky)

Bottled by Mr.Whisky, this Speyside Distillery single malt, a 19 year old Speyside malt from 1994, drawn from cask 478 and bottled at 55.7%. Just 265 bottles were filled. The Speyside Distillery was hand built near Kingussie and first run in 1990 near Kingussie in the upper Spey valley; it was the dream of the whisky merchant George Christie. George Christie bought the land in 1956 and had a stonemason raise the distillery by hand over the years that followed.

It was worked slowly through short stills to keep the spirit light, for the light, fruity Speyside make the distillery is known for. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Beyond sixteen years the malt grows deep and honeyed, dried fruit and oak spice over orchard fruit. Refill oak lets the delicate distillery character lead, fruit over malt.

Undiluted at 55.7%, it is layered. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and orchard fruit and a floral lift sit alongside honeyed oak sweetness underneath. A ripe pear and a gentle spice lift it. Apple, honey and oak draw out the close. This is the fresh Speyside style of the SPEY range.