In the previous batch of samples that I got from Master of Malt, there were not only some new Boutique-y samples, but also their newest Speyside 30 year old bottling, their fifth already!

I have tasted that a while ago but with the little one in the hospital, I hadn’t gotten around to this wee write-up yet. So here it goes.

Speyside 30 year old is, of course, from an undisclosed distillery, but it being an undisclosed Speysider, my money would automatically go to Glenfarclas. No proof of that however.

Sniff:

Speyside 30 year old, by Master of Malt

Lots and lots and lots of fruity sherry notes. Orange, peach, blood orange, but also the barley is out there, with icing sugar for added sweetness. Fairly crisp and fresh, for a thirty year old dram! There’s grass, flowes and a light herbaceousness. Also, raisins and fruit cake.

Sip:
Light chocolaty flavours and sweet citrus. Blood orange and peach again. Thick fruit drink which I used to have at my grandmother’s (called Dubbeldrank, for the Dutchies out there). A light hint of pepper in the background.

Swallow:
The medium long finish gives more chocolate and orange, a slight spiciness and even a hint of banana.

At first I jotted things down like ‘not too complex’ and such, but reading back my notes, I’d be an idiot to proclaim such profanity. It’s a stunning dram with all the goodness a fruity sherry style whisky can have. I would have loved to taste this around 50% ABV, but apart from that, it’s bloody well done.

Speyside 30 year old, 5th Edition, 43%, bottled by Master of Malt and available from their website, for £ 129.95. They have samples too.

Official sample provided by Master of Malt.