Glen Keith 39 Years Old 1968 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A 39 year old Glen Keith from the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1968, bottled at 46%. Glen Keith is a modern Speyside malt on Balloch Hill water, built in the 1950s. It was Seagram's experimental plant, and still houses the Chivas Brothers lab.

Made on Balloch Hill water and condensed in shell and tube condensers, for a clean make of orchard fruit and a soft honey. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the fresh, fruity character to the fore. Ethereal and fragile, decades draw the light malt to a honeyed, waxy delicacy of sotolon, tropical fruit and old oak. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple deepening to honey and tropical fruit. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Active wood frames the fruit without overwhelming the light Speyside spirit. Balloch Hill water and the tall stills give the light Glen Keith make.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. Apple, pear and a soft vanilla, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked apple and a gentle spice lift it. A fresh finish ends on apple and a soft oak. This is Glen Keith's clean, fruity Speyside style.