For our inaugrual meeting of 2021, we went back to our origins... Speyside.

The most densely populated Whisky region in the world, famous for fertile glens and, of course, the River Spey. Speyside whiskies are known for being frugal with peat and full of fruit. Apple, pear, honey, vanilla and spice all have a part a role in expressions from this region, which are commonly matured in Sherry casks.

Half of all the Scottish whisky distilleries. (50)

The region is located in the Highlands, east of Inverness, and reaches from the Moray coastline down towards the Cairngorms National Park.

The region takes its name from the sparkling River Spey, which runs through the area.

The area’s rich supply of pure water and beautiful inland setting help to produce smooth and complex whiskies that provide an elegant contrast to the salty and heavily peated whiskies that are produced by distilleries in other regions.

Speyside whiskies are characterised by sweet and fruity notes, ranging from ripe pears to sultanas.

 

Our first whisky was Aultmore 12yo - the first release from the distillery for a few years and was elegant, light and fruity, with a palate described as having 'truckloads of apples' with peelings and a cidery edge.  A beautiful, light start to our meeting.

Our second whisky was Inchgower 14yo - part of their 'Flora & Fauna' Range. With its rich and deep aroma and a hint of toffee and short-crust pastry which became lighter and vaguely 'gun metal', it was a beautiful dram from a distillery on coastal port of Buckie, Banffshire.

Our third whisky was GlenAllachie 12yo, Virgin Oak finish 2020 release - from a relative distillery newcomer, yet was voted the Scottish Distillery of the Year award at the inaugural Scottish Whisky Awards 2019 - and one of the few independently owned distilleries in Scotland.  This whisky had waves of heather honey, treacle, coconut and orange zest.

Our final whisky was a Macallan Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail) - from a specialist long-established private company who for over a century has matured spirit from more than 100 Scottish distilleries in its own casks to create a liquid library found nowhere else in the world.  This Macallan single malt was distilled in 2005 and matured in sherry casks until 2019 and had an aroma of waxy peels, caramel digestives and ripe bananas with a taste of oily orange peel, smooth praline and pears.