Review by: Whiskery Turnip

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Distillery: Speyburn.

Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail.

Region: Scotland/Speyside Single Malt.

ABV: 65.7%.

Age: 11 Years. Distilled in 2010. Bottled on 12 September 2022.

Cask type: First Fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead.

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Nose: Massive waves of sherry fruits, brown sugar, and caramel; peppercorns, currants, prunes, brown sugar cakes, subtle lacquered wood and burning incense, fruit cobbler with a touch of crushed pecans.

Palate: Medium to full-bodied, syrupy, big cask-driven fruits turning to leather; mellow earthy clay with leather and licorice lingered in the background; cherries and currants in syrup with a touch of show polish; spirited and peppery, especially at the end.

Finish: Long and lingering currants, fruit leather, and peppery spirit.

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Mental Image: Burning Effigy of the Sherry Gods.

Conclusion: To keep this brief, I am not a bit of a fan of these massive cask-driven whiskies, but if you are, then I think there is a lot to love here. Bonus points if you gravitate toward high-proof whiskies and instantly get excited about things bottled at “hazmat” strength— this was not a hazmat 70% abv whisky. Still, it had plenty of youthful prickle and peppery spirit.  None of those are elements I chase after, so your mileage may vary with this cask.

Overall, my first Speyburn— another whisky I can check off the old Pokédex.  I initially tried this at a tasting along with a number of releases from Brave New Spirits. I still think this whisky was better than I initially expected, even if it was not to my taste. I tried it again a few months later and found it much the same. I needed to add a good teaspoon or more of water to a 1 oz pour to tame the spirited prickle, water brought out additional fruits, but washed out some of the nice background complexity.

Final Score: 77.

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.