Catto Rare Old Scottish Highland Whisky (James Catto & Co. Ltd.)

Catto Rare Old Scottish Highland Whisky (James Catto & Co. Ltd.) is a blended Scotch from James Catto and Co. Ltd. It marries malt and grain whiskies, with Speyside malt such as Glen Spey for a light, grassy core. It sits below the ruins of Castle Rothes, once the seat of the Earls of Rothes. It is one of five distilleries in the whisky town of Rothes, in the heart of Speyside. Under Gilbey it took the Glen Spey name and supplied the house Spey Royal blend.

The Glen Spey within gives fresh grass and a soft nutty malt. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the light, nutty character to the fore. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. The lantern stills set a light, fresh tone that the oak then slowly deepens. Years in oak round the spirit, the fresh notes deepening towards a nutty honey and orchard fruit. A light oiliness carries a waxy thread through the long, slow maturation.

At 43% it is grassy, nutty and soft. Fresh grass, light fruit and a nutty malt run through it. Pear, hay and a creamy vanilla fill the middle. The finish is rounded, nutty and clean. A characterful blended Scotch.