Glen Keith 17 Years Old 1996 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A Glen Keith of a 17 year old chosen by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1996, bottled at 46%. Glen Keith is a Speyside single malt known for a light, sweet, fruity character. It sits within sight of Strathisla, the oldest distillery in Scotland.

The spirit was run through the tall stills on Balloch Hill water for a light make, building the fresh Glen Keith style. Finished in an Oloroso cask, the wood building over the fruity, light spirit. At oxidative maturity vanillin and lactones are fully expressed, the light fruit deepening to honey. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple deepening to honey and tropical fruit. It was the first distillery in Scotland to use gas fired direct heating. A gentle maturation suits the light make, the orchard fruit growing richer with time. It was the first new distillery to open in Speyside since the great whisky crash of 1898.

At 46% it is smooth and fruity. Baked apple, citrus and a creamy vanilla, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The texture is light and clean, the fruit lifted by vanilla. It finishes light, fresh and fruity. This is the light, fresh malt of Keith.