Glen Keith 20 Years Old 1997 Cask #72629 (Samaroli)

The Italian bottler Samaroli bottled this Glen Keith, a 20 year old, distilled in 1997, from cask 72629, bottled at 45%, one of 390 bottles. Glen Keith is a Speyside single malt from Chivas Brothers, light and sweet in style. It was mothballed in 1999 and revived by Pernod Ricard in 2013 after a full refit.

Distilled light and fruity in the Glen Keith style, for the light, fruity make Glen Keith is known for. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the light fruit lead. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and pear) and a honeyed depth. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards tropical fruit, honey and a soft spice. Built for the blender's art, the spirit ages with grace as a single malt. Single malt Glen Keith is rare, most of it coming from independent bottlers. Its make went largely into the Chivas Regal, Passport and 100 Pipers blends.

At 45% it is light and soft. Pear, melon and a light honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orchard fruit and a clean malt sit behind the cask. A fresh finish ends on apple and a soft oak. This is a light Speyside single malt from the town of Keith.