SPEY is a brand created by Harvey’s of Edinburgh, a Scottish company with a history in whisky that goes back to the 18th Century. They owned Dundashill, Yoker, Bruichladdich and Aultmore and for instance. It’s still a family business with a presence that’s biggest in Asia (especially Taiwan).
A few years ago the family bought the Speyside distillery which is also responsible for the Cu Dhub whisky and brands like Drumguish.
The range seems to change according to your location. The core range seems to consist of a Spey 12 Year Old, this Spey 18 Year Old and the Port-finished Spey Tanné. I’ve also found references to a Spey Chairman’s Choice, Royal Choice, Lord Byron’s Choice, Golden Choice and a Michael Owen Limited Edition (this former football player acts as a global ambassador for the brand).
Spey 18 Year Old is a limited edition of 1500 bottles, matured in fresh sherry casks. Although the colour tells us they weren’t so fresh after all?
Spey 18 yo (46%, OB 2014, 1500 btl.)
Nose: nice actually. Creamy fruits (gooseberries, pears, caramelized figs). A lot of honey as well as some pleasant waxy notes. Vanilla custard. Vanilla fudge. Sweet walnuts too.
Mouth: again sweet and creamy, smooth and approachable. Vanilla cream, orange candy. Too bad it becomes a little bland and rough after a while, with spicy notes and a bitter edge.
Finish: long, but the roughness remains.
All this Michael Owen marketing tends to have an adverse effect on me, but on the nose I was pleasantly surprised by by the simple, attractive aromas. The palate is a bit less convincing. Not bad but € 105 isn’t cheap of course, check The Whisky Exchange.