Speyburn 18-year-old

Quite intense and full-bodied malt, with dried fruits in the mouth and nose. It's not a sherry bomb, it's more balanced. Therefore I think that in addition to former sherry casks, bourbon wood was also involved here. The finish is at least medium long. Sure, there are more intense, more complex 18 year old whiskys. But the price speaks for itself. For me, for example, it is more complex than the original Glen Grant 18Y, which is usually in the same price league and, in my opinion, is only aged in bourbon barrels.

It is not a sherry bomb by any stretch of the imagination, but rather a composed sherry-influenced single malt.

Apple Dango Sweet and delicious

50+3+9+10+3

Tasted on 05-22-2020 at a blind tasting with Whisky Jason.

A decent whisky of good value.

If you’re into rich, full and well matured whisky: this will probably be straight up your alley. It could have done with a bit more complexity perhaps, but that’s me nit-picking, really.

Speyburn 18 YO Anniversary Edition Category: Single Malt Manufacturer and bottler: Speyburn Distillery (Inver House Distillers) Region: Speyside Fortress: 46% Volume: 700 ml Bottling date: 09/05/2019 Barrel type: American and Spanish Oak Casks Min. age: 18 years old Filtration: none Dye: no Nose. Harsh in the beginning, closed, generally not intense, but with a bit of work it opens up with many different flavors typical of a good double aging. Here you will find classic baked apples and pears, quite a bit of honey, and a wealth of berries (dried cherries and cranberries give wine sourness, plum jam and dried blueberries, on the contrary, give sweetness to the aroma), and dried fruits (figs, dried apricots, raisins) are also worth note citrus, pickle-marinade nuances, dark chocolate, toffee, almonds, pastries, herbaceous mixture tones. The nose is mobile, constantly changing from sweet to sour, but to a greater extent it is tangy and spicy, as it contains many spices (cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, nutmeg). It seems that it is the Spanish barrels from Oloroso that give this piquancy to the nose, because. American oak, in which sherry is seasoned, tends to be softer. The taste is just as versatile, rich and perhaps even more balanced and easy to digest than the aroma. There is no too intense wood, the spices, although slightly dry, do not clog the entire flavor palette, everything is in moderation and all derivative flavors are well integrated with each other, so that the hand instinctively reaches for the additive. Light honey, fruit and caramel sweetness at the very beginning, then a slight berry-citrus sourness gives way to the pressure of spices, almond dryness, tones of tobacco leaf and medicinal herbs, dark chocolate, and then sweetness comes again in the form of dried fruits, pastries, apricots and plum jam. Aftertaste. The average. Tobacco leaf, spices, minerality, echoes of dried fruit and chocolate. Summary. This release is dedicated to the 18th anniversary of blender Bobby Anderson's service at the Speyburn distillery and has become a regular for her. Well, it is worth congratulating him - he created a very worthy whisky. This is the classic Speyside and the Oloroso cask certainly plays the first fiddle here, especially such European casks, which, in combination with mineral spirits, give a spicy spicy zest. However, bourbon casks have not gone away either - they smooth and soften the intense sherry pressure and add complexity to the final product. The only thing for which you can slightly reduce the final score is a not very pronounced and intensely pronounced nose, where spicy notes and minerality draw attention to themselves and a smooth, slightly flat finish. In general, the molt is of high quality, of a dessert nature, but in it the sweetness is not excessive, but is correctly shaded by sourness, sharpness and general minerality of spirits. Rating: 87 out of 100.

Speyburn 18 year old, SMSW, 46%. 30ml sample June 2023. A dark dull shade of orange. Apparently natural colour and NCF. If you’d forced me to guess, I’d have said there was caramel in it due to the dull, muddy orange colour in this light. But I'd have been wrong. Aroma is browned apple, light milk chocolate covered fruits, faint sherried notes. Over time more nut-chocolate sherry. Pleasant enough but nothing too exciting. Body is quite good – moderately oily. Taste is raisin, creamy with some faint coconut notes, mostly raisin and char notes but absolutely not gloopy sherry. The dark, saturated-but-dry charred oak comes through. Well-utilised sherry casks here. I drank this after a good rye at the same abv and this doesn't come close to matching that for flavour punch. I should have had this one first in retrospect. But it's still clear that this is sherried whisky done very well - absolutely one of the better examples I’ve tried recently. Not my favourite style of whisky but I’m definitely fully on board with this one. Deserving of praise. Good abv, great age statement, NCF and natural colour, good price, good blending. The only problem is the person rating it, but even I can appreciate the quality of this high quality well-judged sherried dram. Strongly recommended for people who prefer this style. 3.575/85

Alcohol: 46% Aroma: Rich aroma full of overripe fruit, enough sherry, but there is also a floral aroma that reminds me of a puget of roses. Dried fruits, mainly apricots. Everything is just right, it's not kind of burnt out. (89 b) Taste: Raisins, sweetness, a lot in sherry style. Fruity acidity and spiciness in the aftertaste. (89 b) Points: 89/100 Summary: Tasted at the Whisky Festival 2021 in Malá Morávka. The distillery, which I neglected so far, surprised me very nicely.

For me one of the most balanced and roundest whiskys ever. The perfect mix of very good bourbon and sherry casks. Once again great cinema from a distillery from the 2nd row at a good price/performance ratio.

This whisky needs to rest in the glas for 5-10 minutes. Otherwise it will release some sulfur. It is a bit pricey, considering that it has this off note. I value it between 55 to 60 Euros. Overall, GlenAllachie can do better at lower ages and prices.

This is a rare whisky today: 18 years old, not colored, not chill-filtered, good wood, 46.0% vol. – and that for less than 100 €. But is it a good whisky or just a cheap whisky? glen-efze.de

85,50 Blind Tasting

Truely a sleeper malt from a distillery which - besides doing a lot right with 46% abv, ncf and no added color - profits from its more renown competitors driving up prices, especially for everything 18 and above. Really competent, harmonious and pleasant malt with medium sherry influence. Not extraordinarily so, but - in a positive way - "good enough" and thus very well-received.

This picturesque distillery, located near Rothes, opened in 1897. It's a little-known and unmarketed brand, yet it's one of the six best-selling malts in the US. The distillery has three stills (one for the wash and two for the spirit), and the spirits are condensed in coils. The spirits are aged in a combination of American and European oak casks. The release is bottled at 46% abv, has a natural color, and is non-chill-filtered. Nose: A pleasant, bright, caramel-dried fruit aroma with a distinct sherry-like undertone. Fresh dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, prunes, figs), almonds, herbal bitterness, cinnamon, and oak. The aroma has a slight mustiness and sulfurous note. Palate: the taste is the same bright dried fruits, caramel, vanilla, berry sourness (pomegranate sauce), astringency of wine, sulfurous note, nutty notes (hazelnut, almond), chocolate-coffee bitterness, sweet spices, tannins. Finish: dried fruits, caramelized sugar, nuts, sweet spices, wood. Above-average length. Balance: A striking example of Speyside with a distinct sherry influence. The sherry notes are beautifully woven into the bourbon maturation, creating a malt that is balanced, delicious, and honestly crafted. N23, P22, F21, B22

Great for every moment

RATING: 87pts – |87 – 89 (B+) → Great| — Always nice to have a bottle of this.

If it opens up after a while, it will play in the big league. An elegant whisky without a lot of rough edges. Fruity, then tart. Medium-long finish, slightly spicy, tempts to another glass.

Vanilla semolina pudding with forest fruit sauce on the nose. Initially the same on the palate, later a little oak and a herbal mixture. It's certainly okay for the price, but I don't need a large bottle of it.

Beautiful 18 year old with a lovely finish. Is it one of the best 18 year olds you can buy? No. Price quality ratio is great!

Like its 15-year-old sibling, a rather peppery and sharp affair without water. Displays some potential but it's hard to find the sweet spot, dilution-wise. I for one don't like to spend that much time tinkering with H2O in a mass-market, mainstream bottling so this one's not for me.

A very nice whisky.

dry taste, spicy, wood; certainly not attractive for everyone; corresponds to the spicy and dry profile of the SMWS. The Speyburn 18 takes time to open.

NOSE Strawberry shortcake, dry sherry, honied graham cracker, baking spice with pops of vanilla, copper and leather. Warm, sweet and a slightly earthy, this is a good aroma. PALATE Strawberry shortcake, dry sherry, cocoa, honied graham cracker, baking spice with pops of vanilla, spice, nuts and leather. A near carbon copy of the aroma, but with some coco and nuts and a lack of copper. FINISH Medium-long -> Fruity, malty, darkly sweet and a bit malty.

[July, 2022] A quick review of a sample... ...which is better than expected. This is a flawless modern sherry profile which is simple but nicely balanced and very quaffable. Nothing more to say except: This was a good deal given its initial price tag at around 47 Eurobucks (in a special offer), no doubt.

Nose: light caramel, toffee, slightly rotten mature apple, vinous motives, very pleasant smell of sherry; Taste: peppery, a little noble wood, a little bitterness, a sense of maturity and balance Finish: medium-long, enveloping Balance: very balanced 23;21;21;21

1

Nozing; licorice, leather, wood, something like the peel of an orange, red fruits, Taste; Butterscotch, hints of pepper, anise kind of note. FInish; Long, smooth and pleasant

it's really great and I like it has a good PLV A few drops of water are OK

What do I start with? On the positive side: the key data: not colored, not chill-filtered - that's how I imagine a good whisky to be, which is why I ordered it.

A king of value in the madness of scotch prices rising.

Solid 18 year old standard with sherry maturation, balanced, naturally kept, well matured, you can't go wrong

85.5

Scent: initially a quiet, reserved nose, with some aeration ripe apple notes, vanilla, dried fruit, great balance, malty, subtle honey note Taste: red fruits, cherry, white pepper, again woody spice, warm, slightly alcoholic base note, distinct raspberry note in the medium, spicy finish. Color: Ochre-colored, medium waterline, clear Conclusion: finely crafted, understated and perfectly balanced – another example of why returning to well-established standards can be truly enjoyable...

The sour note is extremely strong, but quite nice and pleasant.

Portions of sherry and bourbon get along so well that it doesn't necessarily appear 'designed' like some other sherry bottlings. Age comes into play. For the full review, go here: https://keinehalbendrinks.de/2022/03/19/18-jaehrige-standards-aus-der-zweiter-reihe/

A strong recommendation from my veteran whisky friend who is very fond of this malt. I got a 3cl sample from him and I have to say: yes Jan, you are right! With 86 points in the base, this is a clearly underrated whisky and the price for a bottle is actually unbeatable for today's time, because here you can definitely find enjoyment and development.

A rock-solid 18-year-old at a good price, I have to say. The profile is clearly defined and remains largely constant over the period of a bottle. I would have preferred a little more characteristics and variety, less smooth ironed and tasty, but that's the way it is today - 28.07.2022

Amber color. Slightly oily.

I bought it for 70 Euros few years back. A really great value for money at that price point! The whisky is objectively a bit simple for 18 years and sherry finish, but kind of flawless at what it does. An easy/inoffensive medium complexity sherry influenced sipper. No off notes. If the finish would be longer, it would be in an 88 points category for me.

aroma: soft, smooth, vanilla, caramel, dark berries taste: dense, sweet, spicy, berries, dark fruits A beautiful, mature affair

Aroma Sweetish, sherry, wood spice, hazelnut, citrus taste Sweet, sherry, spicy finish Medium length, sweet, more spicy, becoming dry

Very good PLV. You can tell its age and so the malt needs a little more time in the glass, but then sherry fills you up. A nice alternative if the Allachie 15 is too sweet and the Garioch 15 is too herbal.

From memory, yesterday in the Bar Gabanyi, Munich. Full, sweet nose with concentrated fruit, slightly fermented, super integrated barrel, but a weird sour note in the mouth. Didn't really bother me at first, but then it did after a while. I couldn't focus on anything else. Like these Haribo yoghurt gummies. I would not order a second time.

Amber color. Quite oily structure.

A very successful 18, an insider tip. But the taste is very peppery - you have to like it.

Speyburn 18 years, 46% alc. Original bottling (2022): Ageing: Spanish and American oak barrels Nose: Crust bread and dried apricots, dates and figs. The sherry casks have contributed some aromas here. I find roasted almonds, candied apples and honey, and there is also some marzipan. The impression is rounded off by leather, old oak wood and cigar tobacco. Palate: Dry and delicately sweet, quite spicy. Dried apricots, cinnamon and pepper, plus cranberries and gooseberry jelly. I also find turmeric, rosemary and camphor. Finish: Medium length, follows the nose again. Sweet apricots, blackberry jam, some cinnamon and oak. Conclusion: The whisky breaks out a bit spicier on the palate, otherwise it remains fruity and pleasantly balanced with a good sherry influence. 86/100 points (2022)

Good daily dram, nothing more.

Tasted it blind! DNA is very difficult to calculate. A very pleasant, drinkable whisky, not very complex, but with excellent depth, and cool in itself, you can drink a lot of this and offer it to a girl! I guessed blindly: Strength: 46-48% Type of barrels: bourbon+sherry, some wine influence Age: 12-15 Region: Speyside Distillery: Cardhu, Glenfiddich, Roayl Bracla, Dalmore Release: Cardhu 15, Glenfiddich 15, 18 21.5 22.5 21.5 21.5

A very nice whisky, which only loses points because of its too short finish. The most "impressive" thing for me is the chocolate aroma combined with the cherry, coupled with the absence of any off-flavors.

Aroma-86/100; Palate-87/100; Finish-87/100.

Lovely balance on this one. A real contender for best sherry whisky. I prefer the 15, but still enjoy the 18 quite a lot

Calm, you need to exert, hematogen, dry herbs and sweet spices. Sweet, very concentrated, sweet-salty, wow on the palate.

Had it in a vertical tasting with Speyburn 10, 15, 18. 14yr ref bourbon + 3yr ref Sherry + ff sherry S 8 Dry sherry nose. Creamy sherry palate. The finish is where the age was felt. Although a bit thin at 46%, it’s still impressively good at £70ish. Water opens up the malt and oiliness but is not recommended as it'll also take away the already limited depth. 81-85 - Another dram welcomed

Toffee, dried fruits, honey, chocolate biscuits, ginger, spices, oak spice, old dusty wood, raisins, orange peel, chocolate, a bit of dirt, drinkable, medium to long finish.

What a great fruit whisky, delicate in every phase of tasting, sweet, very fruity with the dominance of fruit jelly, chocolate and a delicate scratching of the palate. Perfect as a Daily Dram, but also a typical summer whisky. The taste of chocolate with hot plum jam lasts for a long time, and the aroma from the empty glass lingers for a very long time and intensely.

Overall, Speyburn hits its stride here. The 12 and 15 I found mostly forgettable, but this is a nice, clean expression of light sherry influence.

This is Blind Tasting. A Whisky Like American Treats Sweet, sweet, and even sweeter. The sweetness doesn’t just explode and disappear; it clings to the mouth, refusing to let go. Could this be the quintessential American flavor profile?

Tasting: 2024-11-29 Price: 99.90€ vanilla, almond, fruit, apple, caramel, wood, chocolate

N- Relaxing afternoon tea in a wood log cabin with Italian almond, egg tart, brandy filled pralines and berries jam and marmalade on scones. Spice jar, more cardamon than clove in this one. Small curry snacks bite with yoghurt. Nice savoury sweet in this one with broad woody sphere. (87/21) P- Nice grip, quite impressive dried fruits rising to the nose, the gentle woody coat, sweet ginger comes with hints of phenol and liquorice. (87/21) F- Medium, direct, dry and clean. Gently spicy and juicy fruits harbored on the faint spices. (86/20) B/B- 87/21 Modern feels but nothing too wrong with this one, just lack of stamina and complexity to evolve further, which I would expected it so for a 18YO. Cereal- 2, Fruity- 3, Floral- 1, Peaty- 0, Feint- 0, Sulphur- 0, Woody- 3, Winery- 2 Weighted Rate- 83pt — at The Whisky Bar, Kuala Lumpur.

Pleasant, drinkable malt with a sherry influence - more of a modern school. For the price you can't go wrong, PLV fits.