Glen Spey 23 Years Old 1991 Cask #2535 (Morrison and MacKay)

A 23 year old Glen Spey from Morrison and MacKay, distilled in 1991, from cask 2535, at 52.6%, one of 240 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.

The spirit was distilled from unpeated malt, building a light, fragrant spirit with a thread of nuttiness. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin lending vanilla under the light fruit. Through the evaporative decades the esters fold into mango, beeswax and a nutty honey. Built for the blender's art, the light make ages with quiet grace as a single malt. Long ageing turns the green, herbal edge towards orchard fruit, honey and a gentle spice. Because the purifiers keep the spirit light, the cask shows clearly through the years. The lantern stills set a light, fresh tone that the oak then slowly deepens.

At 52.6%, undiluted, it is deep and waxy. Fresh cut grass, green apple and a nutty malt, lifted by a soft oak. Pear, hay and a creamy vanilla fill the middle. It finishes light, fresh and faintly nutty. This is a Speyside single malt of real lightness.