Speyside has never been short of distilleries vying for your attention, and the Spey 10 Year Old — specifically the 2022 release — is one that deserves a longer look than it typically gets. Bottled at 46% ABV with no chill-filtration (a decision I always respect), this is a single malt that sits in an interesting position: old enough to have developed genuine character, young enough to retain real vitality. At a decade of age, you're getting a whisky that has had time to settle into itself without losing its edge.
The Spey distillery remains one of Speyside's quieter operations, and that relative obscurity works in its favour here. There's no heritage marketing doing the heavy lifting — this bottle has to stand on its own merit, and I think it does. The 46% strength is a smart choice. It's muscular enough to carry flavour without the burn that puts off casual drinkers, and it means you're getting something closer to the distiller's intent than the endless parade of 40% expressions that line supermarket shelves.
Tasting Notes
I won't fabricate specifics where my notes don't warrant it — what I will say is that this is unmistakably Speyside in character. Expect the region's hallmark approachability: a malt-forward, gently fruited style that rewards patience. The 2022 release carries itself with a certain confidence at this strength, and ten years in oak has given it enough structure to feel complete rather than young and searching. This is not a whisky that shouts. It speaks clearly, and it has something worth saying.
The Verdict
At £70.75, you're paying a fair price for a non-chill-filtered Speyside single malt with a decade of maturation behind it. Is it cheap? No. But it's honest money for honest whisky, and in a market increasingly crowded with overpriced NAS releases dressed up in fancy packaging, there's something refreshing about a straightforward 10-year-old bottled at a proper strength. I've scored this 7.9 out of 10 — it's a well-made, confident dram that does exactly what it sets out to do. It doesn't try to be something it isn't. For Speyside enthusiasts looking beyond the usual suspects, this is a bottle worth tracking down. For newcomers to single malt, it's a genuine introduction to what the region does best.
Best Served
Pour it neat and give it five minutes in the glass — a 46% Speyside malt opens up beautifully with a little air. If you want to explore further, add no more than a teaspoon of room-temperature water. That small addition will soften the mid-palate and let the malt character breathe. I'd avoid ice here; you'll lose the subtlety that makes this worth drinking in the first place. On a warm evening, a Highball with good soda water and a twist of lemon zest makes a surprisingly elegant long drink — but try it neat first. You owe yourself that.
