Intro – I have been drinking whisky for over 3 years now and I remember seeing Speyburn 10 at my local liquor store early on in my whisky journey. A 10 year old single malt scotch whisky for $20-$30 is always attractive…especially to a beginner. I did my research and reviews were lackluster. Many people talked about the value of the whisky and that it wasn’t horrible. It’s no wonder why it took me so long to buy a bottle. Light, young Highland whiskies usually don’t do it for me. I finally picked up a bottle on an impulse buy one night when the wife and kids were out of town. Paid $30 – 43% ABV – added color and chill filtered.
***Reviewed neat while listening to Stone Temple Pilots – Core.***
Nose – herbal, spicy grass clippings, vanilla, apples, caramel…artificial caramel, plastic, fruity(currently attracting a fruit fly), floral, laundry soap, bathroom cleaner…not quite bleach but pretty close.
Taste – spices, alcohol, more spices…pepper, a bit too hot, caramel, alcohol soaked apples, pretty harsh and unpleasant. *adding water helps with the alcohol but the flavor becomes nonexistent*
Finish – Short finish, slightly sweet, dry, rotten wood. Thankfully the finish doesn’t hang around.
Favorite Part – The Nose. (the only redeemable quality)
Conclusion – I enjoyed the nose on this a lot but the taste and finish were horrible. Even at $30 I can’t recommend this whisky. The notes on the nose make me interested on what Speyburn could do with quality casks, higher ABV and more of a craft presentation. Maybe it was the Stone Temple Pilots but this seems like a good whisky to throw ice in and get hammered off of. I drink whisky for the smell & taste experience…not to get hammered. Save your money and put it towards a better mid range bottle.
Rating – 47/100
- Presentation – 1/5
- Nose – 20/25
- Taste – 10/35
- Finish – 10/25
- Value – 6/10
Whisky Reflection 