Speyburn 1989 Connoisseurs Choice (46%, Gordon & MacPhail, 2013)
- Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
- Origin: Speyburn Distillery
- Bottling: Gordon & MacPhail – Connoisseurs Choice
- ABV: 46%
- Cost: £75.79
- Score: 86/100
What they say:
COLOUR
Dark Straw.
Body
Light.
Finish
Medium.
Cask Type
Refill Sherry Hogsheads.
Style
Delicate and well balanced.
Tasting Note
AROMA without water
Fresh and sweet with hints of pineapple and honey. A subtle menthol edge lingers.
TASTE without water
Peppery initially with banana, aniseed and milk chocolate flavours developing.
AROMA with water
Toasted malt with tropical fruits aromas. Hints of almonds and vanilla develop.
TASTE with water
Sweet and fruity with subtle spices. Orange and lemon flavours develop.
What I say:
Sampled as part of Gordon & MacPhail’s ‘The Wood Makes The Whisky’ Campaign. Thanks to Gordon & MacPhail for the official sample. Distilled in 1989 at Speyburn Distillery and bottled in 2013 after ~ 24 year maturation in Refill Sherry Hogsheads.
Colour:
Light straw gold (4/10), slow medium-zized droplet tears leave tapered medium-fine legs
Nose:
Heather honey – slightly spiced, golden syrup, estery and fruity with apple, pear, pineapple, plus citrus orange and lemon, cereal barley malt, violets both flower and parma violet sweeties and warm buttered toasted brown bread.
Taste:
Sweet and floral, honeysuckle, violet, rose, honey, golden syrup, warm buttered toast, slightly coppery metallic tang to it, lemon and orange – with the rose and violet and a touch of menthol mint/spearmint reminded us a little of real Turkish delight, nice and sweet rolled in icing sugar.
Finish:
Medium length, floral and sweet honeyed barley – a classic Speyburn
Overall:
Simply I noted: Very Nice! Note – although the sample bottle was labelled 1991, accompanying tasting notes confirmed this is in fact the 1989 bottled vintage.
The Whiskyphiles 