Speyside Distillery 1998 (XOP)

A Speyside Distillery single malt, selected and bottled by Douglas Laing matured to 21 year old from 1998, drawn from cask DL 13295 and bottled at 61.3%. The outturn was 256 bottles. The Speyside Distillery, raised single handed by a drystone mason over some twenty years on a former mill site by the River Tromie, is the source of the SPEY malts. Water comes from the River Tromie, drawn through the old mill lade that once turned the waterwheel.

It was drawn off short stills coaxed by hand towards a delicate make, for a clean, honeyed spirit of real finesse. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed sweetness. Beyond sixteen years the malt grows deep and honeyed, dried fruit and oak spice over orchard fruit. A small, hands on operation keeps the spirit close to its maker's intent. The first single malt, Drumguish, was released in 1993 after three years in the warehouse.

At a hearty 61.3% it carries real weight. The refill oak lending honey and vanilla, with pear, honey and a fragrant lift. The texture is light and rounded, the fruit lifted by honey. The finish is rounded, honeyed and soft. This is the hand built malt of Drumguish.