Secret Speyside (M) 2024 17 Years The Tasteful 8 - Brühler Whiskyhaus
Mysterious bottlings have their own appeal - and when a whisky from Speyside comes along with 17 years of maturation and a whopping 53.7% ABV, it's worth taking a closer look (and a sip). The Secret Speyside (M) 2024 from ‘The Tasteful 8’ series from the Brühl whisky house is mysterious, but there are indications that a famous name is involved here ...
Tasting Notes
Nose
What's the first thing that hits your nose? A hint of cough syrup! Sounds strange at first, but before you put the glass down in irritation, it continues with an intense load of black tea, dried fruit and a slight ‘gamy’ note that is surprisingly exciting. This is joined by blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate and dusty oak. Anyone who now thinks that's it is wrong - leather, sultanas, a hint of lemon and a touch of sulphur provide a firework of flavours that is miles away from ‘ordinary’.
Palate
The first sip? Smooth and creamy - but not for long. Suddenly the oak spice comes into play, then it becomes sweet, fruity and slightly floral. And then - bang - another load of dust and a powerful mixture of dark plum and wild berries. Somehow musty, but in a fascinating way. A bit like an old library full of valuable treasures that hasn't been opened for a long time.
Finish
Here, the whisky remains true to its style: the finish is long, sweet and spicy - a little fruity, a little ‘gamy’, and surprisingly hardly any oak to be felt. A wild mix.
Thoughts
Marcel 81/100
Anyone searching for a whisky with character and surprises will find it here – the Secret Speyside (M) 2024 plays with unusual notes like cough syrup and an old library, delivering drinking pleasure far from the mainstream. This is no ordinary Speyside dram, but an exciting adventurer that leaves you wanting more.
Sascha 81/100
A complex, well-structured Speyside whisky that impresses with a balanced interplay of fruity, spicy, and slightly musty notes. Despite the high 53.7% ABV, the Secret Speyside (M) 2024 feels harmonious, though its challenging aroma profile might not appeal to everyone.
Value for Money: Fair
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82/100Frequently Asked Questions
What does the unusual description "cough syrup" in the nose of the Secret Speyside (M) 2024 mean?
The note of "cough syrup" describes a medicinal-sweet aroma that can initially be off-putting, but in whisky it signals complex, profound flavors. It goes beyond simple fruit notes and indicates an extraordinary, almost experimental scent combination.
Why is the Secret Speyside (M) 2024 bottled at 53.7% ABV and how does this affect the taste?
At 53.7% alcohol by volume, this whisky is stronger than many standard bottlings. The higher ABV intensifies the aromas, adds complexity, and delivers a more robust flavor, especially noticeable in the spiciness and fruity notes. It also lends itself well to dilution with water to reveal additional nuances.
What is the significance of the mysterious origin and the hint at a "famous name" in this independent bottling?
The Brühler Whiskyhaus releases independent bottlings without disclosing the distillery, making the discovery and guessing of the origin an exciting challenge. The hint at a "famous name" suggests the whisky comes from a renowned Speyside distillery, giving enthusiasts the chance to explore the character of well-known distilleries in unique expressions.