Glen Keith 50 Years Old 1968 Cask #7893 (G&M)

A Glen Keith of a 50 year old chosen by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1968, from cask 7893, bottled at 52.8%, one of 42 bottles. Glen Keith is a clean, fruity Speyside malt from the town of Keith in Moray. It was built in 1957 by Seagram on the site of a meal mill, directly behind Strathisla.

It was worked through the tall stills for a light, sweet make, giving a clean, sweet Speyside spirit. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. In its ethereal years the malt is waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a touch of sotolon (maple, dried fig). Much of the Glen Keith make went to the blenders, a little kept as single malt. Single malt Glen Keith is rare, most of it coming from independent bottlers. Its water is drawn from the Balloch Hill spring above Keith. It was the first distillery in Scotland to use gas fired direct heating.

At a hearty 52.8% it carries real weight. A light, orchard fruit and citrus, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked apple and a gentle spice lift it. Apple, pear and a soft oak see out the finish. This is Glen Keith's clean, fruity Speyside style.