Single malts that fell short?

[ForresterModern]

Found a brand once in a small town liquor store and it was the only single malt scotch on the shelves. Just called "Speyside"(incorrect--actually called Speyburn as Noel below corrected me) without any age or area of origination, but one would presume it was among the speyside highland whiskies like Glenlivet and others.

It was dreadful----strong burnt bitter on initial palate, harsh after taste and a strong burn on the way down and in your mouth for several minutes afterward. Adding a little water (something I NEVER do with good whisky) only thinned its nastiness a tad, but it was still very bad. I still have the bottle but have not drunk any since then (nearly 10 years ago), however my father seemed to like it when mixed more liberally with water and an ice cube (Interestingly he does not really like most of the other higher quality single malts I have tried on him neat).

jeff