Whisky Review/Tasting: Spey 12 years

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Speyside, Scotland.
Type: Speyside Single Malt.
Distillation and Maturation Process: Matured in ex-bourbon casks, likely refill casks, and finished for six months in fresh oak casks, probably American oak.
Age Statement: 12 years.
ABV: 40%.
Limited Edition: 8,000 bottles.
Filtration: Chill-filtered, no coloring added.
Color: Wonderful golden color.
Bottle Design: Described as having an "extreme bottle," targeted at the Asian market.

Aroma: Light aroma with notes of caramel, vanilla, a little fruitiness, and oakiness.
Taste: Pleasant on the tongue, more spiciness, a bit of bitterness like almonds, with the spiciness fading quickly and the bitterness/tannins lingering pleasantly.
Aftertaste: Pleasant aftertaste, indicating a well-matured whisky.

The Spey 12 years represents a significant piece of the new Speyside distillery's history, reviving the old name of the distillery. The decision to shorten the whisky's name to "Spey" is speculated to be for ease of pronunciation or perhaps for marketing reasons in the Asian market.

The Spey 12 years is a testament to the Speyside region's distilling art, embodying the characteristics that make Speyside whiskies renowned worldwide. The use of fresh oak casks for finishing is a nod to bourbon production practices, blending Scottish and American whisky traditions.

Luening, the mastertaster of whisky.com, describes the Spey 12 years as a "well done good matured Cinnamord whisky" and a "good masterpiece of the space art region."
The whisky is praised for its well-matured character, with no sharp aromas or strong alcohol presence in the nose, indicating a high-quality maturation process.

The Spey 12 years is a Speyside Single Malt, matured in ex-bourbon and fresh oak casks, with a 12-year age statement.
It features a light aroma with caramel, vanilla, and oakiness, and a flavor profile that includes spiciness, a bit of bitterness, and a pleasant aftertaste.
The whisky has a cultural significance, representing the Speyside distilling tradition and incorporating American whisky maturation practices.
Expert opinions highlight the whisky's well-matured character and craftsmanship.

For Whisky Enthusiasts: Those with an appreciation for the subtleties of maturation and finishing processes will find the Spey 12 years intriguing, especially with its use of fresh oak casks.
For Casual Drinkers: The light aroma and pleasant taste profile make it accessible for casual drinkers looking to explore Speyside whiskies.
For Collectors: The limited edition nature (8,000 bottles) and unique bottle design targeted at the Asian market might appeal to collectors seeking distinctive whiskies.