“Speyside Distillery, nestled within the magnificent Cairngorm Mountains is widely acknowledged as being the prettiest of all Scotland’s distilleries.
Originally a barley mill and croft dating back to the 1700’s, it finally closed in 1965. Over the next 25 years from 1965 it was slowly and lovingly converted into a single malt distillery, which then started producing spirit on Christmas Day 1990.
The distillery draws its water from the Spey River tributary… The River Tromie using the old mill lade, which originally ran the waterwheel that powered the old mill.” – speysidedistillery.co.uk
The below notes are from the recent TweetTasting, run by The Whisky Wire. We highly recommend you check them out and apply to join their tastings!
Follow @thewhiskywireSPEY Tenné 46% ABV
Appearance:Pale rose wine, pinkish
Nose: Very fresh and new-makey, lots of berries and ripe fruit going on. Werthers originals are in there, mixing it up! The port influence (I assume) is adding a nice richness and depth to the nose. Really nice nose this! There’s also a slight funk! Starting to get those foam sweets now. Shrimps and the gang! The longer it sits, the more sugary, and less fruity it seems to get. Might be some maltiness and cereal going on, feint, but I think it’s there.
Palate: Initially metallic tinge, some dryness and a tad spicey. The polar opposite of what I was expecting. There is some creaminess, maybe chocolate, white pepper, and potentially cayenne? Not getting much fruit at all on the palate. I can’t help but be slightly disappointed by the palate. Not because it’s bad, but because the nose was SO good and the palate doesn’t resemble it, for me at least?
Finish: On the finish, I get a slight butteriness, chocolate and the continued dryness. Herbs and spice with a slight chilli heat thrown in to really add diversity!
Overall: The nose on this was superb, but the palate couldn’t match for me and didn’t reflect the rich ripe fruits and lovely berries. It’s a nice whisky, I wouldn’t rush to purchase, but it’s nice.
Best way to learn, drink with others and learn from them. The great thing is you'll learn something every time! #SpeysideDistillery
— Whisk(e)y Chap 🏴🥃 (@whiskeychap) December 9, 2020
SPEY 12 Year Old 46% ABV
Appearance: Straw, light gold
Nose: A more buttery and malty nose, compared to the Tenne. Sugars are there too, sweet shop memories continue! Those foam sweets are in this one too, which is nice! I believe I’m getting a touch of pine with this one? Marzipan/almond now too. I used to be given banana, milk and sugar for breakfast by my nan (don’t ask). This is reminiscent. The nose on this is more well rounded, but, that doesn’t make it better, just different.
Palate: The 12 palate is sugary and floral. Sidenote: The legs on this are fantastic. Tropical fruits and a touch of tequila. Real holiday beach bar, after dinner, sipper. After a few sips, the sweetness really comes through. Tropical fruits in syrup spring to mind.
I can’t help but be slightly disappointed by the palate. Not because it’s bad, but because the nose was SO good and the palate doesn’t resemble it, for me at least?
Finish: The finish is sugary, slightly creamy and a touch of spice and copper. Again, a better balance, for me, than the Tenne.
Overall: A better-balanced whiskey for me. I would be far more likely to sit and sip this in the evening. Very nice!
I never add water, not because I don't believe in it, because I either forget or finish before I get a chance! #SpeysideDistillery
— Whisk(e)y Chap 🏴🥃 (@whiskeychap) December 9, 2020
Spey Royal Choice 46% ABV
Appearance: Golden, almost Tizer orange, looks rich and fruity!
Nose: On the nose, I’m again getting a slight new-make’esque aroma. Fresh but rich at the same time. There are also hotel lounge aromas, dusty but with hints of the bar! heheh. Green apples and lemon come through with a deeper nosing. It’s a lovely nose by all accounts, very festive.
Palate: Ooh, that’s a nice palate. Rich and buttery, with dark fruits and sugars (fruit crumble). This is a real Xmas whisky. This is my favourite so far, both the nose and palate have delivered, and it’s such a festive whisky. Lovely.
Finish: The finish for me is nice and buttery smooth, slight spiciness to balance the sugars and dark fruits. A tad herbal maybe. There’s also a tingling left on the side of the mouth, nice!
Overall: Great balanced and festive whiskey. Could sit and sip this all evening in front of the fire. Very very nice whisky indeed!
Spey Trutina 46% ABV
Appearance: A tad more yellow than water. Almost no colour at all.
Nose: Lemon, confectionary sugars, foam sweets and barley. At a slight distance there’s more honey and gentle oak. Doesn’t nose like a CS, quite deceptive and, possibly, dangerous in that respect!
Palate: Very floral, almost perfume, the CS makes itself known on the chest. This might take a few sips to acclimatise. After a few sips, the perfume gives way to a ore creamy and sweet choclate taste. It’s still dominated by the floral flavours.
Finish: New makey, alcohol witha touch of cream and chocolate.
Overall: It’s ‘OK’. A bit too much alcohol taste for me. I love CS but it has to balance the strength with everything else, not just be strong.
Featured image credit: Spey Distillery
