Glen Keith 20 Years Old 1997 Cask #72582 + 72583 (Signatory)

This Glen Keith was bottled by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 20 year old, distilled in 1997, from cask 72582 + 72583, bottled at 46%. Glen Keith is a clean, fruity Speyside malt from the town of Keith in Moray. It sits within sight of Strathisla, the oldest distillery in Scotland.

Distilled from unpeated malt in tall, narrowing stills, for a clean make of orchard fruit and a soft honey. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins add a gentle, drying grip over the fruit. The light, fruity spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and fruit to the fore. Its make went largely into the Chivas Regal, Passport and 100 Pipers blends. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple deepening to honey and tropical fruit. Refill oak lets the light, fruity Glen Keith character lead the way.

At an approachable 46% it is light and clean. Baked apple, citrus and a creamy vanilla, 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 a clean, fruity Speyside single malt.