SPEY Chairman's Choice

SPEY Chairman's Choice, NAS, 40 %

In 2012 Harvey's of Edinburgh bought the distillery with the slightly too generic name The Speyside Distillery. The distillery has naturally had to market it's whisky under brands called something other than simply 'Speyside', as that would confuse the end customers no end! The brands used by the Speyside Distillery so far have been Glentromie, Củ Dhub and Drumguish.

I have to admit that Drumguish is among my least favorite whiskies ever. But fear not, that has not couded this review, as it was performed 100 % blind. I had no idea what whisky I had in my glass.

So, let's get to the SPEY Chairman's Choice then. SPEY is obviously a new brand from the distillery, and very possibly something the new owners came up with. It works, in a way, I think.

The SPEY Chairman's Choice is not currently available to buy in Norway, but you can buy it is Sweden at SEK 898 (item number 8619901). You can also buy it online at around GBP 50, for instance at Master of Malt.

Nose (20/25): Banana, cereals, malt and ... banana bread. There's a hint of gasoline in the background, nothing to worry about though. It's all perfectly pleasant and well-behaved. Maybe a tad too well-behaved? More fruit come to the fore after a few minutes; apples and ripe pears. A hint of something not quite smoky, but the faint smell of burnt wood - perhaps. Who really knows? I'm just rambling on here, all by my lonesome ... ehrm. Well, it is fruity, with medium sweetness and has a touch of ... something.

Taste (20/25): Mild and soft. The mouthfeel is ... banana. Honey, white pepper, summer fruits.

Finish (21/25): Still mild, but the spices are picking up a bit. There's a bit of dust, oak, ginger and fizziness. The aftermath, as it were, is quite nice.

Balance (20/25): All in all a whisky I had big trouble getting my head around. I think I liked it, it had me confused.

Score (81/100)

Image from Master of Malt.

Sláinte! - Thomas