Another scotch gift to the lounge this time a Speyside instead of an Islay, and while this is not an Islay scotch it also manages to disappoint my personal tastes. This is clearly a Speyside scotch, and I think it’s main issue is this is a special release made for the United States.
Or as it truly is – some swill that they dignified us to actually export instead of the truly good stuff. Of course I have not tried the original so I can’t fully determine how true this is. At the end of the day though we have a very flavorful scotch, but the quality is just not there.
What they Say: “This limited release, USA exclusive single malt uses first fill ex-bourbon casks in American Oak for a bold flavor profile. Rich golden in appearance with flavors of toffee, vanilla, honey and coconut, with a long-lasting, spicy finish.”
Taste: 3.0 – It’s sweet and full of multiple types of flavors, but it lacks impact.
Aftertaste: 3.0 – Here it has the impact, but the taste takes a nosedive in terms of quality.
Burn/Smooth: 2.0 – It burns, and is not smooth in any way.
Aroma: 3.0 – Am I smelling a rum of cognac here? Sorry but there’s just so much other flavors going on here you lose the scotch.
Honesty: 4.0 – Limited USA release – Sorry but that’s code for ‘here’s the shit for you shitty Americans.’ You might say that is undeserved, but when has any country every been like – oh yes let’s do something special for the Americans, and their refined palates. Never. Sorry but this is some bullshit.
Mixability: 5.5
W/ Rocks: 5.5 – It definitely opens up here, and is a much better scotch. The foot dropping though is to state that despite how high it climbs it still falls short of being something considered good.
Value: 4.0 – While that is a low price, I would hands down get some Auchentoshan or Deanston every day of the week. So the value here is not killer.
Google Shop Average: $36
Website: http://www.speyburn.com/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 3.5
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Metric Score: 24.5/70 |+| Metric Average: 3.5 |+| Reviewer Average: 3.5
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Final Thoughts: Sorry about having two scotch reviews this month, both of subpar quality. To be fair you should technically blame the person who gifted them to me. Personally I don’t as I am always grateful for what is donated to the Lounge, but thank god I still have good scotch when I need it.
It is much better than the original Speyburn, which to me is undrinkable. It just burns. But I enjoyed this scotch. ( I was also the giver, but I never had it before I bought it for the both of us)