Glen Keith 24 Years Old 1995 Cask #171251 (Cuspid Spirits)

The bottler Cuspid Spirits bottled this Glen Keith, a 24 year old, distilled in 1995, from cask 171251, bottled at 52.2%, one of 271 bottles. Glen Keith is a light Speyside malt, mothballed for years and revived in 2013. It sits within sight of Strathisla, the oldest distillery in Scotland.

It was distilled from unpeated malt in tall, narrowing stills, for a light, elegant spirit with a soft malt. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds a richer, tropical fruit. Active wood frames the fruit without overwhelming the light Speyside spirit. Its make went largely into the Chivas Regal, Passport and 100 Pipers blends. Much of the Glen Keith make went to the blenders, a little kept as single malt. The light, fruity spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and fruit to the fore.

At 52.2%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Pear, melon and a light honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orchard fruit and a clean malt sit behind the cask. The finish is long, fruity and clean. This is the light, fresh malt of Keith.