Speyburn 10 Years Old Whisky Review

Jarrod Lapato -

BOTTLE DETAILS

  • DISTILLER: Speyburn Distillery
  • MASH BILL: 100% Malted Barley (Single Malt)
  • AGE: 10 Years
  • YEAR: 2016
  • PROOF: 86 (43% ABV)
  • MSRP: $29.99
  • BUY ONLINE: Liquor Barn

JARROD'S NOTES

NOSE: Lemon zest  |  Beer  |  Toffee  |  Soap

TASTE: Grass  |  Citrus  |  Light sherry  |  Oak

FINISH: The oak and grassiness carry seamlessly into the medium length finish. As that begins to dissipate, the influence from the sherry casks takes its place. It’s sweet but somewhat dry, and strawberry or raspberry sweet tarts come to mind.

SHARE WITH: Those looking to get into scotch but don’t know where to start. (and don’t want to spend a lot of money). Fans of the Speyside region, and the Highlands, in general, should also find this entry level scotch whisky to their liking. It is not an overly complex dram that requires deep contemplation and doesn’t contain the peaty, medicinal elements many non-scotch drinkers find offensive.

WORTH THE PRICE: Go ahead… try to find another single malt scotch at your local liquor store for under $30 and see what you come up with. For that matter, see if you can find a decent blend for that price! It’s not that they don’t exist, but they’re getting harder and harder to come by. I would consider this money well spent.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Like anything else, it’s usually best to try a glass before you buy, but if you’re looking for a new “casual sipper” or need to stock up the bar for that big party, I feel safe in saying you should just pick up a bottle.

OVERALL: I have to admit I was a little skeptical about Speyburn due to the price point, but over the years I have learned not to judge a whisky based on price alone. Not having tasted a Speyburn prior to this review, I must say I was pleasantly surprised. It has a crisp, delightful nose and a rather pleasant palate, all while being easy on the wallet. A friend of mine stopped by recently and we usually have a pour from my collection as we shoot the breeze. While he’s not exactly a whisky connoisseur, he does enjoy trying different whiskies and is beginning to develop an appreciation for single malts. I cracked this bottle open, served it up without saying a word and after a few sips, he inevitably asked what we were drinking and how much it cost. Let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised to see a bottle at his house on my next visit.

BRAND NOTES

Bold flavours and a long, smooth finish.

Speyburn 10 years old single malt is matured in a combination of American Oak ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.

NOSE: Fresh, clean and aromatic with a rich lemony fruitiness

COLOR: Pale gold with amber highlights

TASTE: Medium-bodied with a delicate, fruity character and hints of toffee and butterscotch with a sweet, long lasting finish

AWARDS:

  • Gold Medalist in the 2016 Scotch Whisky Masters competition from The Spirits Business
  • 92 Points / Excellent / Highly Recommended from the 2016 Ultimate Spirits Challenge
  • Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition 2015 Gold Medal Winner

Disclaimer: Speyburn Distillery provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.