Secret Speyside Collection: A Close Look at Three Hidden Gems

Introduction Speyside whiskies tend to carry a certain reputation for polished elegance and fruity complexity, and the Secret Speyside collection offered a fascinating chance to revisit that character through lesser-seen expressions. I sampled three: the Benriach 24 Year Old, Longmorn 25 Year Old, and Tamdhu 25 Year Old. Each one brought its own strengths, and even though my expectations were high—especially when you hit whiskies in their mid-20s—there were still a few surprises along the way. Nose Starting with the Benriach 24, the aroma was instantly appealing: a balanced mix of soft apricot, buttery vanilla fudge, and worn leather. It carried the depth I was hoping for at this age, though it stayed fairly mellow rather than overwhelming. The Longmorn 25, by contrast, struck me with its darker profile – a blend of dry raisins, gingerbread, and roasted almonds with just a touch of oloroso warmth. It felt more weighty and richer on the nose. The Tamdhu 25 leaned heavily sherried, as expected, but not as punchy – more in the range of dried fruits and hints of damp tobacco, without becoming too musty or sour. Palate All three had distinct personalities on the palate. The Benriach 24 had a lighter, fruitier base than its nose suggested – honey, peaches, and toasted oak coming through clearly. The mouthfeel was a bit thinner than I anticipated, but the balance of sweet and oak-driven spice was well judged. The Longmorn 25 was more structured and oily, pushing forward with dark cherry, clove, and coffee cake. It had the richest texture of the three and lingered with depth. The Tamdhu 25 initially offered promise – hints of sultana and chocolate orange – but midway through it veered into overly tannic territory, with something slightly green emerging that took away some of the roundness. Finish In terms of finish, the Longmorn stood out again for me. It faded slowly, with layers of dried fruits, espresso, and gentle wood smoke sticking around just long enough. Benriach’s finish was clean, light, and tapered off with a gentle nuttiness and citrus peel; elegant, though not dramatic. Tamdhu’s aftertaste didn’t quite recover from the dryness on the palate—it ended quite fast and left a chalky grip rather than a sherry glow. Price and Value These are older whiskies, and their prices reflect that—unsurprisingly north of the £300 mark depending where you look. For me, the Longmorn felt most justified in terms of what it delivered across all stages. The Benriach was enjoyable but might be priced more for its age than its depth. Tamdhu, unfortunately, left the weakest impression in enjoyment versus price. Background The Secret Speyside range is part of a targeted release from Chivas Brothers, showcasing single malts that are rarely seen outside of blends. Benriach, Longmorn, and Tamdhu all come with strong reputations, yet they're not always available in aged single malt form – which makes this collection particularly interesting. Benriach, though now outside of Chivas ownership, was distilled back in the 1990s when it was largely going into blends. The 24-year-old in this bottle was matured in refill casks, which explains its more restrained style. Longmorn is often whispered about among enthusiasts, and this 25-year-old expression reflects its supple, dense makeup and consistent quality. Tamdhu, known for its sherry maturation, tends to divide opinion – and this cask clearly brought more active oak but maybe wasn’t as finely tuned. More info about these distilleries can be found here:Benriach DistilleryLongmorn Final Notes Would I buy the Longmorn 25 again? Absolutely. Its richness and balance made it a genuine pleasure to revisit over multiple sessions. For people new to older Speyside expressions, the Benriach 24 might be a gentler starting point – subtle, approachable, and not too assertive. The Tamdhu 25, though, seems more for those who enjoy heavier oak influence and don’t mind a slightly drying profile. If you're wondering which one best suits a quiet evening pour or a contemplative sip after dinner, the Longmorn stood out in that respect. It performed well without needing much air time or accompaniment. Compared to other Speyside whiskies of similar age, these sit firmly in the expected stylistic range, though none drastically redefine what the region offers. Still, if curiosity around rare cask bottlings appeals to you, there’s something worth exploring here – especially in the Longmorn bottle.