We’ve seen a raft of SMWS Speyburns recently – here’s another for you. A 9 year old drawn from a refill ex-bourbon barrel. Sweet, Fruity & Mellow profile.
Nose: This certainly has the aromas of dessert - chocolate sauce, toffee tart, apricots in custard and raspberry Eton mess – all very creamy, and moreish, but with the sugars well in check. Dilution changes the aspect somewhat, focussing on salinity, steeliness and green fruits – gooseberry and greengade.
Taste: A viscous arrival that’s still very fruit-forward – pear tart tatin and zingy lime-packed margaritas. The mid palate offers deep flavours of bakery – crumbled biscuits, flan bases and caramel drizzle. These fade into a gentle background earthiness – soils and mulched leaves. Water emphasises the cask influence, adding in vanilla and heightening custard. At the same time, it adds a syrupy texture to the fruit elements – nicely tinned in their own juices.
Finish: Medium with a sprinkle of pepper and earthy soils.
This Speyburn is indeed very dessert-like and has developed both a surprising richness and structure for its mere 9 years of age. It’s currently cold and damp outside – this would have anyone dreaming of summer.