Glen Keith 40 Years Old 1970 Landscapes (The Whisky Agency)

A 40 year old Glen Keith from the German bottler The Whisky Agency, distilled in 1970, bottled at 45.1%, one of 215 bottles. Glen Keith is a Speyside single malt from Keith, the first new Speyside distillery since the 1898 crash. Its make went largely into the Chivas Regal, Passport and 100 Pipers blends.

Distilled light and fruity in the Glen Keith style, building the fresh Glen Keith style. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin lending vanilla under the apple. In its ethereal years the malt is waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a touch of sotolon (maple, dried fig). Maturation in the racked warehouses at Keith is slow and steady. 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. It was built in 1957 by Seagram on the site of a meal mill, directly behind Strathisla.

At a natural 45.1% it is full and fruity. Pear, melon and a light honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run green apple, pear and a soft vanilla. The finish is rounded, fruity and clean. This is a clean, fruity Speyside single malt.