Glen Spey 15 Years Old 2008 Cask #16601706 (Connoisseurs Choice)

Gordon and MacPhail bottled this Glen Spey, a 15 year old, distilled in 2008, from cask 16601706, at 55.6%, one of 204 bottles. Glen Spey is a Speyside single malt, long a quiet backbone of the J and B blend. It passed to the London gin house W and A Gilbey in 1887, the first English firm to own a Scottish distillery.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, giving the clean, nutty Speyside spirit Glen Spey is known for. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin lending vanilla under the light fruit. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the green grass turning to a nutty honey and soft tropical fruit. Long ageing turns the green, herbal edge towards orchard fruit, honey and a gentle spice. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the delicate Speyside spirit. Maturation in the racked warehouses is slow and even, the Speyside air cool and steady.

Bottled at a cask strength 55.6%, it is concentrated. A light meadow grass and orchard fruit, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A light orchard fruit and a soft oak give it shape. The close is light and clean, grass over a gentle oak. This is the delicate, grassy malt of Rothes.