Speyside Distillery 1994 PST (Phil & Simon Thompson)

This Speyside Distillery malt was from the independent bottler Phil & Simon Thompson, aged 26 year old from 1994 and bottled at 45.7%. A release of 121 bottles. The Speyside Distillery, built by hand on a former barley mill site at Tromie Mills, the most southerly Speyside distillery, is the source of the SPEY malts. The first single malt, Drumguish, appeared in 1993, three years after the first spirit ran.

Distilled on River Tromie water in a tiny pair of pot stills, building the gentle Speyside style it is loved for. Maturation came in American oak, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. Very old make from here turns profound, waxy and rich yet still fragrant. The short stills give body, which slow running and a clean cut keep light. Quality over quantity has always been the watchword of this tiny distillery. George Christie bought the land in 1956, dreaming of his own small malt distillery.

Reduced to 45.7%, it is mellow. 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. A fruity, gently spiced finish lingers. This is the SPEY single malt from near Kingussie.