Glen Spey 14 Years Old 2008 Watt Whisky (Campbeltown Whisky Company Ltd.)

The Campbeltown Whisky Company bottled this Glen Spey, a 14 year old, distilled in 2008, at 54.8%, one of 267 bottles. Glen Spey is a light, fragrant Speyside malt of fresh grass and a nutty malt. Under Gilbey it took the Glen Spey name and supplied the house Spey Royal blend. It is one of five distilleries in the whisky town of Rothes, in the heart of Speyside.

It was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, building a light, fragrant spirit with a thread of nuttiness. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the light, nutty character to the fore. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the grassy spirit growing rounder and a touch waxy. Because the purifiers keep the spirit light, the cask shows clearly through the years. Years in oak round the spirit, the fresh notes deepening towards a nutty honey and orchard fruit.

At a natural 54.8% it is full and nutty. A delicate, fruity malt with a waxy edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The body is light and clean, the fruit lifted by a gentle oak. The close is light and clean, grass over a gentle oak. This is a Speyside single malt of real lightness.