No shortage of undisclosed Speyside malts these days (a squirrel, how appropriate), although this Speyside 1989 is not a blended malt but a single malt. We’ve seen similar 1989’s from other bottlers and they hint towards totally different distilleries, just like these 1970s siblings. It’s part of the latest batch of Maltbarn releases.
Speyside Malt 29 yo 1989 (49,1%, Maltbarn 2018, bourbon cask, 133 btl.)
Speyside Malt 29 yo 1989 (49,1%, Maltbarn 2018, bourbon cask, 133 btl.)Nose: starts malty, showing corn flakes, oranges, honey and nice hints of apricot. Some spiced tea, mint and liquorice wood. Dried flowers. Waxy notes, a light yeasty side and a whiff of vanilla. Classic.
Mouth: quite minty now, joined by oak spices but rather thin in the middle. A malty, gingery side but not as rich as I hoped. Light zesty notes, grains and pepper. Seville oranges. I find this a bit restrained, like music playing through a broken equalizer.
Finish: long, spicy, with orange peel and a hint of oak resin.
The nose was somewhat expected but nonetheless very pleasant. On the palate it feels like a certain register is missing. I’m not totally convinced, a little too neutral for my taste perhaps. Around € 180.
Score: 86/100