SPEY Tenné - 46%

 

From the distillery

Initially aged in bourbon casks, this bottling has been finished in the Tawny Port casks from the family run winery, Quinto de Filoco, for 6 months. A limited release of 18,000 individually numbered bottles. Bottled at 46%, non chill filtered and with no added colouring.

Tasting notes:

Appearance: The colour of an oak aged Chardonnay. Forms a thin line, beading before slowly falling as thin legs.

Nose: Subtle notes of red berries, oranges, icing sugar and freshly ground nutmeg.

Palate: Mouthfeel starts light becoming more creamy. Baked apples stuffed with raspberries, vanilla and runny honey. As it develops, dried fruits and a slight tannic astringency appear. A little water accentuates the creaminess and red fruit but also brings a little more astringency.

Finish: Warm, creamy and lingering, flaked almonds, cinnamon and a touch of ginger spice.

Overall: Having tried the cask strength Tenné a few years ago, I was keen to see what this 46% version had to offer. The result is very enjoyable, and possibly far too easy to drink. Those port cask influenced red berry notes are more subtle but still very much on show. There’s an almost dessert-like feel, imagine an indulgent crème brûlée with a raspberry base. For me, this is a dram to be enjoyed on a warm summer evening.

If you would like more information on SPEY malts, or the Speyside distillery, follow the link to the company website 

Transparency: Received free of charge for independent review, all opinions are my own and remain completely impartial.