SPEY Tenné, batch 2

SPEY Tenné, batch 2, bottled at 58,6 % abv 

First things first: A second batch of the SPEY Tenné cask strength, a limited edition released by The Speyside Distillery in Kingussie. A batch of 1500 bottles was made, and the whisky was finished on Tawny Port casks. Natural (rosé pink) colour.

Upon Sipping: A truly pink whisky in the glass here, a colour you do not see too often anymore, even on the regular port matured releases. Sticking the nose in the glass, the port influence is undeniable, with big sour and creamy notes, mingled with overripe red fruit, perhaps even a little past its prime. Rich to nose, whatever you think of it. Quite a bold expression. The sourness is not so much present on the palate, as is a more sweetened note. To swallow, this SPEY expression is extremely fiery and hot on alcohol, but the whole feels well integrated. Powerful product for lovers of high alcohol bottlings. We will try and drown out a bit of the abv with a good dash of water. Indeed, more malt content flows to the surface. Fruity barley now, but also some off-notes, in the shape of baby pacifier, so a mix between latex and saliva. When left alone, some sulphury notes seems to catch all smells into a unified front. On the palate, it remains fierce, making me think this SPEY is not that old, perhaps around 6 to 8 years of maturation including the finish? A little too much of the port is felt on the finish now, making this go towards a “winesky”.

Word to the Wise: It seems this expression has a following, considering this SPEY scores a very decent average 85 points on Whiskybase. It certainly is a single malt that takes no prisoners. For me, it was entertaining and it indeed has a lot of quirks, but all in all not my style at all.