Glen Keith 20 Years Old 1997 Cask #72608 (Signatory)

This Glen Keith was bottled by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 20 year old, distilled in 1997, from cask 72608, bottled at 54.3%, one of 318 bottles. Glen Keith, founded in 1957, was Seagram's innovation plant on Speyside. It was built in 1957 by Seagram on the site of a meal mill, directly behind Strathisla.

The spirit was made on Balloch Hill water and condensed in shell and tube condensers, for a light, elegant spirit with a soft malt. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla and a touch of coconut from the lactones. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins add a gentle, drying grip over the fruit. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation in the Glen Keith warehouses. A gentle maturation suits the light make, the orchard fruit growing richer with time. It sits within sight of Strathisla, the oldest distillery in Scotland.

At a hearty 54.3% it carries real weight. Pear, melon and a light honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is light and clean, the fruit lifted by vanilla. The close is light and clean, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a fresh, fruity Speyside malt from the Chivas stable.