Speyburn remains a distillery I know little about, so this review explores its history first. Then it compares two Speyburn 15-year-old expressions: the official bottling against the SMWS single cask. We covered Speyburn once before, back in 2019, with just a quick introduction. This time, a full distillery overview precedes the detailed tasting notes on both whiskies.
Speyburn Distillery
John Hopkins & Company established Speyburn Distillery in 1897 in a narrow glen near Rothes, Speyside, harnessing the pure, soft waters of the Granty Burn – a tributary of the River Spey – for its whisky production. Renowned architect Charles C. Doig designed the facility, complete with its distinctive pagoda-style malting kiln that still defines the skyline today. In a remarkable feat, Hopkins pushed the first spirit through the stills on December 31, 1897 – before construction fully finished – to lay down casks marking Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, setting an ambitious tone from day one.
Financial challenges prompted Hopkins to sell Speyburn to the Distillers Company Limited (DCL) in 1916, integrating it into Scotland’s industrial whisky powerhouse. The distillery faced closures over the decades, most notably during World War II when troops used it as barracks; production resumed in 1947 with modernisation, like indirect steam heating replacing coal-fired stills in the 1960s. Speyburn also pioneered Galland-Henning pneumatic drum maltings – a rare mechanised malting system – until shutting them down in 1967, though the equipment survives as a historical exhibit. Inver House Distillers (now part of International Beverage) acquired the site in 1992 and invested heavily, including a major expansion around 2014 that effectively doubled output capacity.
Speyburn draws its process water exclusively from the Granty Burn and uses traditional copper pot stills to craft a classic light-to-medium Speyside profile: expect grassy orchard fruits like apple and pear, zesty citrus, honeyed sweetness, and subtle herbal malt undertones. Ex-bourbon barrels form the backbone of maturation, often joined by sherry casks for added creaminess and depth, making the spirit versatile for both single malts and blending. This approachable character suits everyday drinking while holding its own in cocktails or highballs.
Speyburn 15-Year-Old (2021) Review
The Speyburn 15-year-old matured into a combination of American Oak & Spanish Oak Casks. It is bottled at 46% ABV, without chill filtration nor added colour. The price varies a lot from a retailer to another, but expect to pay from €45 to €60 in Germany and the Netherlands, and from £68 in the UK, for instance.
Colour:
Russet.
Nose:
Neat: The nose opens with soft milk chocolate, toffee and caramel, giving an immediate impression of sweetness and comfort. Ripe raisins, figs and darker dried fruits then appear, hinting at the sherry influence without turning heavy. Fresh flowers and sweet lemon sweets add a bright, zesty edge. Creamy vanilla and gentle oak spice sit underneath.
Palate:
Neat: The palate starts with creamy toffee and honey, which coat the tongue and lead into orange marmalade and sweet lemon, almost like a light limoncello. Ripe apricots and mixed dried fruits follow, joined by milk chocolate, cocoa powder and vanilla that reinforce the dessert‑like side. Notes of figs and dates are contributed by the sherry casks, with peppery wood spice and a touch of cinnamon building towards the back of the palate.
Finish:
The finish is medium to long, gently warming and slightly spicy, with sweet lemon and soft chocolate lingering the longest. Raisins and a light impression of stewed apples fade slowly, while a touch of dry, slightly dusty oak closes things out.
Comments:
Speyburn 15 Years Old delivers a classic, easy-drinking modern Speyside style. A mix of bourbon and sherry casks creates its richer, chocolate-accented profile. It offers good complexity, so layers unfold if you feel analytical. You sip it purely for pleasure without that pressure. At German or Dutch prices, it gives excellent value.
Rating: 7/10
Speyburn 15-year-old SMWS 88.31The Winter Series – Supper Sipper (2024) Review
Then, we have another 15-year-old Speyburn, but this time bottled in 2024 by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in their Winter Series, and named Supper Sipper. It matured in a first-fill ex-American oak PX Hogshead, before being bottled at cask strength (56.1% ABV), without chill filtration nor added colour. This release is unfortunately sold out.
Colour:
Russet.
Nose:
Neat: The nose opens with spicy accents of ginger and pepper, warm cinnamon, and a hint of caraway, with an unusual wax note in the background. Rich aromas of caramelised orange zest emerge, while milk, dark chocolate and cherries add some depth. Bananas appear, alongside berries and currants.
With water: Reduction unlocks strawberries, hints wine and more dark chocolate.
Palate:
Neat: The palate delivers a luxurious, rocky road-style indulgence, combining milk and dark chocolate with cherries. The texture feels thick and oily, carrying intense oak spice, ginger heat, and peppery warmth. Berry and fruity notes dominate, with chocolatey peach and caramac bars adding complexity. Vanilla ice cream, cherry jam, red currant jelly, and chocolate-coated raisins create a sweet, layered profile.
With water: Even more pepper emerges, accompanied by subtle hints of cherry and a delicate yet noticeable sweetness.
Finish:
The finish lingers long and warming, with chocolate, hints of coconut, cherry-flavoured lollipop, and oak spice fading slowly. Cinnamon and caraway leave a dry, spicy tail, while rosewater and raspberry notes appear on the good-length finish.
Comments:
This single cask from the SMWS clearly links to the official 15-year-old. Tasting notes differ, yet the connection holds. The indie Speyburn shows artificial cherry flavours, but these work well anyway. They comfort and recall the lollipops we loved as kids – and maybe still do.