Speyside SPEY 2005 Cask #2184

An official single malt from the Speyside Distillery, aged 18 year old from 2005, drawn from cask 2184 and bottled at 46%. Just 270 bottles were filled. The Speyside Distillery was slowly converted from an old mill by one stonemason close to the very source of the River Spey, and it grew from George Christie's vision of his own small distillery. Short stills and a slow distillation are coaxed by hand towards a light, fruity spirit.

The spirit was made in small stills after a long, ester building fermentation, for a soft, fruity make from short stills. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending honey and vanilla. Past sixteen years the spirit turns rich and honeyed while keeping its finesse. Sherry and Port wood suit the make well, lending dried and red fruit. Its two pot stills are among the smallest in Scotland, the whole works under one roof. Water is drawn from the River Tromie through the old mill lade and waterwheel.

At an easy 46% it is gentle. A gentle vanilla and coconut from the wood, with apple, pear and heather honey. The mouthfeel is soft, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. A long, honeyed finish carries a fruity lift. This is a fruity malt from one of Scotland's smallest distilleries.