Introduction
Today, we’re diving into a bottle of Mossburn Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, a unique take on a blended malt scotch from the Speyside region. For those unfamiliar, blended malt means this whisky is a mix of malt whiskies from multiple distilleries, rather than a single malt, which comes from one distillery. Mossburn has sourced a number of Speyside whiskies, blended them together, and added a bit of flair with a variety of cask finishes, including reused American whiskey barrels, Oloroso sherry butts, and heavy char barrel heads.
This bottle clocks in at 92 proof (46% ABV), is non-age stated, and retails for around $40-$50. We found it on Ohio's “Last Call” shelves, but it remains available elsewhere. So how does this Speyside expression hold up? Let’s dive into our review, focusing on the nose, taste, finish, balance, and value.
This review is taken from our episode "High and Low / Mossburn Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky." Click the link to listen to the review in audio format.
Nose
Brad: The nose here is really pleasant. I’m getting a lot of barley and some peach up front, followed by a strong honey note. The longer I sat with it, the more some floral notes started to come through, though nothing too overwhelming. It’s a nice, easy nose, but it didn’t blow me away. I’m giving it a 7/10.
Bob: I drank this while watching a movie and, honestly, I took a sip before I even nosed it. That didn’t give the nose a fair shake, but once I went back for a sniff, I found it was pretty subdued. A lot of ethanol jumped out at first, and it took a while for anything else to emerge. Eventually, I got some vanilla extract, a hint of cherry, and a touch of melon, like honeydew. Still, I had to really work for those notes, so I’m giving it a 6/10—the nose just lacks potency.
Taste
Brad: This is where things pick up. On the palate, that honey and peach from the nose carry over, and I’m with you on the vanilla—it definitely shines through. I also got a nice layer of butterscotch, almost like what you’d drizzle over soft serve ice cream. It’s a pleasant, straightforward experience, but I wouldn’t say it’s super complex. I’m giving it an 8/10.
Bob: The taste took me by surprise, especially after how faint the nose was. It reminded me of those early-2000s cucumber melon scents that were everywhere—super fruity and bright, almost artificial but in a good way. I got a lot of melon, but then the ethanol crept in and took over mid-palate, bringing some spice and eventually finishing with a bit of bitter oak. It had a lot more going on than I expected, and I enjoyed it. I’m giving it 8.5/10.
Finish
Brad: The finish didn’t quite live up to the palate for me. I found the barley came through more strongly at the end, with a bit of clove and black pepper adding some spice. There was also a faint mintiness left on my breath, which was kind of refreshing. Still, it felt a bit short. I’m giving it 7.5/10.
Bob: I actually found the finish darker and more complex than the palate. It shifted into an almost bitter, dark cherry note with a bready quality, like a soft biscuit. It wasn’t what I expected, but I really liked how it surprised me. I’m also at 7.5/10 for the finish.
Balance
Brad: The balance here is solid, though nothing extraordinary. The whisky delivers on what it promises—honey, peach, and some subtle spice—but nothing felt too complex or layered. I think it held together well enough. I’m at a 7.5/10 for balance.
Bob: I agree. The nose really lagged behind the palate and finish for me, which threw the balance off. I wish some of the complexity on the palate showed up earlier in the experience. That said, the flavors were coherent, and nothing felt out of place. I’m also giving it a 7.5/10.
Value
Brad: At around $45, I think this is a decent value for a Speyside blend. You’re getting a solid whisky with some nice flavor notes that would make this enjoyable to sip on occasionally. It doesn’t blow your socks off, but for the price, I think it’s a good deal. I’m giving it a 7/10 on value.
Bob: I’m going a bit higher at 7.5/10 for value. While it’s not the most mind-blowing scotch in this price range, it offers more flavor than a lot of blended whiskies we’ve tried. Plus, being a region-specific blend makes it a nice introduction to Speyside if someone hasn’t had much experience with the region. Overall, I think it’s priced pretty fairly.
Final Scores
Brad’s Final Score: 37/50
Bob’s Final Score: 37/50
Combined Score: 37/50
Conclusion
With a combined score of 37/50, the Mossburn Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a solid option for anyone looking to explore the Speyside region without breaking the bank. It delivers a pleasant experience with flavors of honey, peach, and subtle spices, although it doesn’t quite push into complex territory. At around $40-$50, this is a bottle we’d recommend buying if you’re a fan of Speyside or looking for something easy to sip.
At Film & Whiskey, we typically recommend trying a pour or buying a bottle if it scores above 35/50. With a score of 37/50, we think this whisky is worth picking up, especially if you’re sharing it with a friend.
