2012 Speyside Whisky Festival 10 Year Old Blended Malt

I just got back last week from the trip of a lifetime - the Speyside Whisky Festival! It was an amazing trip - I've posted on this site my photo diary, if you care to look for it. I picked up a few bottles as well, all of which I will eventually review herein.

Every year the festival does it's own bottling - this year, it is a vatted malt (I love the word "vatted"!) of 24 different Speyside single malts. Which sounds fantastic - however, the whisky doesn't quite live up to the greatness of the festival.

It is a light copper gold, fairly thin at 40.9% ABV. On the nose, the malt is supported by thick honey, with hints of cedar, Band-Aids and a touch of vanilla. Water brings out the slightest hint of peat. Very promising.

On the palate though, a thinner honey mouthfeel, sweet, creamier with water, a little red wine vinegar (hints of a sherry cask in there somewhere) coating a slight oakiness.

The finish is medium length, a little rough, chalky and grassy. On the whole, this is a little rough around the edges - the sweet creamy honey notes at the beginning give way to a rough finish that doesn't gel with a Speyside profile, despite the fact that Speyside is all that is in here! I wasn't expecting anything fantastic, of course, but unfortunately this whisky doesn't quite work. But don't let that deter you from attending a wonderful festival!