Glen Keith 22 Years Old (Original Collection)

The Campbeltown house Cadenhead bottled this Glen Keith, a 22 year old, bottled at 46%. Glen Keith is a modern Speyside malt on Balloch Hill water, built in the 1950s. Its tall, narrowing stills give a light, fruity Speyside spirit.

Run through the tall stills on Balloch Hill water for a light make, for a clean make of orchard fruit and a soft honey. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla and a touch of coconut from the lactones. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds a richer, tropical fruit. Refill oak lets the light, fruity Glen Keith character lead the way. The tall, narrowing stills give a light spirit that takes the cask well. It was the first distillery in Scotland to use gas fired direct heating. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards tropical fruit, honey and a soft spice. It was Seagram's experimental plant, and still houses the Chivas Brothers lab.

At 46% it is fresh, fruity and clean. Pear, melon and a light honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is fresh and fruity, the light spirit shining through. A long, fruity finish carries a green apple and a soft spice. This is a Speyside single malt of real lightness.