Glen Spey 10 Years Old 2013 Cask #802030, 802485 (Hannah Whisky Merchants Ltd)

A Glen Spey of a 10 year old chosen by Hannah Whisky Merchants Ltd, distilled in 2013, from cask 802030, 802485, at 50.2%, one of 681 bottles. Glen Spey is a Speyside single malt from Rothes, founded in 1878 as the Mill of Rothes. Most of its spirit goes to blends; single malt Glen Spey is rare, and largely the work of independents. Its stills were doubled from two to four in the 1970 expansion, the make still light and grassy.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, shaping a light body with a soft, waxy edge. Finished in a Douro cask, the wood building on the light spirit. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the grassy spirit growing rounder and a touch waxy. Years in oak round the spirit, the fresh notes deepening towards a nutty honey and orchard fruit. Because the purifiers keep the spirit light, the cask shows clearly through the years.

At a natural 50.2% it is full and nutty. Pear, cereal and a green, grassy lift, with a red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. Beneath it run fresh grass, light fruit and a nutty malt. Green apple, grass and a soft oak see it out. This is a light, nutty Speyside single malt.