Glen Keith 43 Years Old 1973 (Single Cask)

The Campbeltown house Cadenhead bottled this Glen Keith, a 43 year old, distilled in 1973, bottled at 43.2%, one of 156 bottles. Glen Keith, founded in 1957, was Seagram's innovation plant on Speyside. It ran triple distillation from the start, switching to double distillation by the 1980s.

It was distilled light and fruity in the Glen Keith style, for the light, fruity make Glen Keith is known for. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the fresh, fruity character to the fore. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending maple and dried fig as beeswax and a tropical fruit linger. A gentle maturation suits the light make, the orchard fruit growing richer with time. Much of the Glen Keith make went to the blenders, a little kept as single malt. It was built in 1957 by Seagram on the site of a meal mill, directly behind Strathisla. It sits within sight of Strathisla, the oldest distillery in Scotland.

At a hearty 43.2% it carries real weight. A clean, fruity sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked apple and a gentle spice lift it. The finish is long, fruity and clean. This is a fresh, fruity Speyside malt from the Chivas stable.